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BASC launches manifesto for sustainable shooting ahead of Senedd elections
A manifesto for the future of sustainable shooting in Wales has been launched by BASC ahead of the Welsh Parliament elections in May.
The manifesto outlines a vision for the future of sustainable shooting and practical conservation in Wales. Key proposals include:
- Public recognition of the importance of sustainable shooting and practical conservation to the Welsh rural economy, health and wellbeing, food production, rural heritage, culture and social life across Wales.
- Acknowledgement that sustainable shooting, when responsibly managed, delivers clear environmental benefits. As such, sustainable shooting represents a major yet underused resource for tackling the biodiversity crisis.
- A commitment from Welsh Government to create and deliver species action plans protecting species, agricultural crops, forestry and native flora and fauna
BASC Wales director Steve Griffiths said: “This manifesto highlights the vital role that sustainable shooting and practical conservation play in supporting Wales’s environment, rural economy and communities.
“We look forward to engaging with Senedd candidates and future policymakers to ensure these contributions are fully recognised and supported.”
Integral part of the fabric of Wales
Shooting is an integral part of the cultural, economic and environmental fabric in Wales. Across the nation, a diverse array of shooting activities supports tourism and hospitality businesses throughout the year and provides rural communities with an economic lifeline by extending the traditional tourism season into the winter months.
The Value of Shooting report published in 2024 shows that shooting contributes £190 million annually to the Welsh economy every year and supports approximately 3,000 jobs. These contributions are critical – without them, many fragile rural communities would struggle to survive.
In addition, the management practices associated with shooting play a pivotal role in protecting ecosystems and helping wildlife to recover and thrive. The 2024 BASC Natural Capital report in Wales established that shooting and its associated habitat creation and management provided £26.8 million of benefit through carbon sequestration, £1.2 million in public health benefits, £15.1 million in recreational value for those involved in shooting and the wider public, and £4.2 million in food, farming and forestry value for the country.
The manifesto can be found here.
You can read the Welsh version here.
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