
Daughters of the land
In honour of International Women’s Day, we recount the stories of female gamekeepers in history who blazed a trail for generations to come.
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.
Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP for the Cotswolds, has been heavily critical of Defra’s decision to restrict the licensing process of releasing gamebirds ahead of the shooting season, claiming civil servants were under explicit instructions not to communicate changes to shooting organisations.
Speaking at an adjournment debate in the House of Commons, the backbench parliamentarian chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for Shooting and Conservation. He called on the government to commit to paying compensation to those facing significant financial losses and job cuts, or to immediately renew the old licence.
BASC, the UK’s largest shooting organisation, has made similar calls, providing evidence of more than 200 shoots that face uncertain futures, financial turmoil and job losses following the eleventh-hour decision by Defra.
In his speech, Sir Geoffrey recounted the chaos and animal welfare crisis the decision has created in the countryside, stating that the situation is a disaster for rural affairs.
He described Defra’s justification for the new licence – to prevent the spread of avian influenza as deeply flawed and questioned why other rural activities had not faced similar assessments and restrictions.
Christopher Graffius, BASC’s executive director for communications and public affairs, said: “We are extremely grateful for Sir Geoffrey joining BASC’s call for the government to act. Assurances are no longer acceptable; actions must be taken to rectify the damage that has been caused by this ill-judged and unevidenced decision.
“BASC has begun legal proceedings against Defra’s decision, but it remains our objective to see the renewal of the licence to ensure the season can continue unimpeded.”
In honour of International Women’s Day, we recount the stories of female gamekeepers in history who blazed a trail for generations to come.
BASC opposes a proposal to ban snares in Wales and is calling on the Welsh Government to justify the plans by producing scientific evidence.
New measures have been announced to protect the poultry sector from avian influenza in England, Scotland and Wales.
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.