Defra call for evidence is a “fight for the future of shooting”, says BASC

BASC is urging the shooting community to respond in force to a two-month call for evidence on game shooting, announced by the government today.

Ministers say they want to hear about the positive and negative impacts of gamebird rearing, release and shooting in England. They have said the call for evidence – which starts tomorrow 4 September – could be followed by public consultations.

BASC says the shooting sector should view the announcement as a fight for the future of shooting.

The news comes on the same day that BASC is back in the High Court after winning a recent judicial review against Natural England on aspects of gamebird releasing.

BASC chief executive Ian Bell said: “Our sector should be under no illusion that this announcement signals a fight for the future of shooting in this country.

“We already have the facts and figures that support the positive impacts of sustainable shooting. The government is well aware of those figures, because it often quotes them when talking about shooting.

“So, it is clear that our sector must work harder in the next two months to make sure our voice is heard louder than ever before.

“We must all do our part. The rural organisations will continue to do the work we are paid to do, but it should be obvious to all who love shooting that each and every one of us must step forward to protect our way of life. The government must be left in no doubt as to the value of shooting to rural communities and beyond.

“BASC will consider the full scope of the call for evidence in the coming days, and we will advise members and others of the steps we all need to take. But we must all be ready for a significant and lengthy fight. It should not be left to others.

“I will be asking every gamekeeper, every shoot, every beater and picker-up and every rural business to get their evidence in. The people who want to see shooting shut down will be mobilising right now – we must do better than them, voice for voice, fact for fact.”

BASC will publish practical guidance on its website and social media in the coming days to help people gather and submit their evidence before the call closes on 1 November. 

The government says no decisions have been taken on whether any changes will follow, and any future proposals would be subject to public consultation, but BASC says the strength of the response over the next two months will shape the future of shooting for all of us.