The government ministers responsible for shooting sports renewed the Labour Party’s commitment to support shooting at the Rural Reception at the Labour conference in Manchester last week.
The reception, hosted by BASC and the Fisheries and Angling Conservation Trust (FACT), is an annual event at all of the party conferences.
Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, said: “I’d like to pay tribute to BASC, and all those involved in angling for the good work they do, particularly with young people. Shooting gives opportunities for young people to get more involved in the countryside. We need to work closely with governing bodies to encourage good practice. Sport changes people’s lives. It helps them be the best that they can be.”
Vernon Coaker MP, Home Office minister responsible for firearms legislation, said: “There is a fundamental distinction between legal shooting and the illegal use of guns and I constantly have to put this point across. I commend BASC for its hard work in promoting legal, safe shooting and for promoting that responsible attitude towards guns.”
Martin Salter MP, backbench spokesman on shooting and fishing, said: “We are building an all party consensus on the benefits of shooting. I support one hundred percent shooting and angling. We have manifesto commitments which we will stick to. These are not just warm words.”
ENDS