BASC sets out priorities to new Defra Secretary of State

BASC has written to Dame Angela Eagle MP following her appointment as Secretary of State for Defra.

In the letter, BASC vice chair Claire Sadler welcomed Dame Angela to the role and set out how sustainable shooting supports Defra’s priorities – from woodland creation and habitat restoration to biodiversity gains and sustaining rural livelihoods. 

The letter raised the disruption to this year’s game season caused by Natural England’s approach to gamebird release licensing, following the recent High Court judgment that found the regulator had acted outside its powers. BASC also requested an early meeting with the Secretary of State.

BASC director of public affairs, Jak Abrahams, said: “We welcome Dame Angela Eagle to her new role.

“We look forward to building a strong and constructive working relationship with her and her team as we work towards a vibrant and thriving countryside where sustainable shooting continues to drive nature recovery, support rural jobs and deliver for the wider rural economy.”

“There are pressing issues on which we are keen to engage early on, not least the uncertainty Natural England has caused on our sector and we have asked to meet the Secretary of State at the earliest opportunity.”