The NI Assembly’s All Party Group on Country Sports has re-elected Patsy McGlone MLA (SDLP) as chairman.
Mr McGlone was re-elected chairman during the group’s Annual General Meeting which was held recently at Stormont.
In addition, Trevor Clarke MLA was elected vice-chair, Roy Beggs MLA was elected secretary and Jonathan Craig was elected treasurer. BASC was re-elected to provide the secretariat for the group which was established in January 2013.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr McGlone said: “I am delighted to have been re-elected chair of the Assembly’s All Party Group on Country Sports. I have a keen interest in shooting sports which contribute £28 million annually to the Northern Ireland economy. Shooters also manage nearly 70,000 hectares of land for shooting.
“I look forward to working with my Assembly colleagues, BASC, and partner organisations to help promote and defend country sports.”
Tommy Mayne, director of BASC NI, said: “BASC and our partner organisations have worked closely with The All Party Group over the past number of years, particularly on firearms related issues. The group has played a significant role, listening to the concerns of stakeholders and working with those stakeholders to help influence statutory committees. BASC looks forward to working with Patsy and his colleagues on issues that affect BASC members in NI.”
ENDS
Anyone wishing to contact the All Party Group can do so by contacting BASC NI on 028 92 60 50 50 or by emailing nire@0ld.basc.org.uk
Pictured left to right – Jonathan Craig MLA, Edwin Poots MLA, Paul Frew MLA, Tommy Mayne, Patsy McGlone MLA, Vaughan Harkness (Northern Ireland Firearms Dealers Association), Derek Beattie (Northern Ireland Firearms Dealers Association) and David Robinson (Gun Trade Guild NI).