
General licence chaos cost BASC respondents £29 million, new infographic reveals
Ninety-nine per cent of respondents reported damage, loss or risk.
Get information on the legal shooting season for mammals and birds in the UK.
Apply for funding for your project or make a donation today
Comprehensive information and advice from our specialist firearms team.
Everything you need to know about shotgun, rifle and airgun ammunition.
Find our up-to-date information, advice and links to government resources.
Everything you need to know on firearms law and licensing.
All the latest news and advice on general licences and how they affect you.
BASC chairman Peter Glenser QC and chief executive Ian Bell have highlighted concerns to environment secretary Michael Gove about the general licence “chaos”.
Mr Gove attended a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Shooting and Conservation, for which BASC provides the secretariat, last night.
Mr Bell said: “The meeting was very positive. Mr Gove took the time to listen to our concerns. He also reiterated the importance of those in attendance and their members to contribute to the Defra review which will be collecting evidence until 5pm on Monday May 13th May.”
People can email Defra to outline how they have been affected glevidence@defra.gov.uk
They can also complete a short online survey set up by BASC.
More than 12,000 people completed the BASC survey within 24 hours of its launch.
Ninety-nine per cent of respondents reported damage, loss or risk.
A proposal to consider excluding the use of general licences over some areas of land in Scotland has been challenged by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). BASC is concerned that this could penalise innocent land managers and affect their livelihoods.
Scottish Natural Heritage applauded for taking time to make general licence changes.
Sign up to our weekly newsletter and get all the latest updates straight to your inbox.
© 2025 British Association for Shooting and Conservation. Registered Office: Marford Mill, Rossett, Wrexham, LL12 0HL – Registered Society No: 28488R. BASC is a trading name of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under firm reference number 311937.
BASC Direct Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Agria Pet Insurance Ltd who administer the insurance and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Services Register Number 496160. Agria Pet Insurance is registered and incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 04258783. Registered office: First Floor, Blue Leanie, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7QW. Agria insurance policies are underwritten by Agria Försäkring.
If you have any questions or complaints about your BASC membership insurance cover, please email us. More information about resolving complaints can be found on the FCA website or on the EU ODR platform.