
Politics in the wild: MP visits shooting estate to see conservation up close
BASC regional officer Ryan Darby welcomed James Wild MP to a leading Norfolk estate to showcase the vital role shooting plays in conservation.
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 has welcomed the Government’s robust response to a petition calling for a ban on driven grouse shooting.
In the response, the Government said it has no plans to ban grouse shooting, recognising its significant environmental, economic, and conservation benefits.
The Government highlighted that well-managed grouse shooting can play an essential role in rural economies, providing direct and indirect employment while contributing to wildlife and habitat conservation. The response also emphasised the importance of preserving the UK’s uplands, which are home to 75 per cent of the world’s remaining heather moorland, and vital for carbon storage, biodiversity, and water regulation.
BASC head of uplands, Alex Farrell, said: “We welcome the Government’s clear recognition of the value of well-managed grouse moors for both the environment and rural communities. Moorland managed for sustainable grouse shooting is a cornerstone of conservation in our uplands, delivering benefits such as peatland restoration, biodiversity protection, and economic stability.
“The Government’s support highlights the critical role of responsible land management in addressing global challenges like climate change and nature recovery. The shooting community remains committed to working within the law and collaborating with conservation groups, government bodies, and the National Wildlife Crime Unit to tackle wildlife crime and ensure the sustainability of our uplands.”
BASC operates a strict zero-tolerance policy on wildlife crime and backs the government’s commitment to ensure essential predator control is carried out legally and responsibly.
The Government’s unequivocal response reflects the importance of maintaining a sustainable balance between shooting, conservation, and the economic benefits shooting brings to rural and often remote upland communities. BASC will continue to work tirelessly to ensure these benefits are protected and enhanced for future generations.
BASC regional officer Ryan Darby welcomed James Wild MP to a leading Norfolk estate to showcase the vital role shooting plays in conservation.
Read BASC’s statement in response to the publication of the RSBP’s latest Birdcrime report.
Speaking at debate in the House of Commons, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has heavily criticised Defra over it’s handling of gamebird release licences in protected areas.