Gamebird review must recognise “significant benefits” of shooting in Wales

BASC has vowed to respond robustly to a call for evidence on gamebird release announced by the Welsh Government today.

The review will examine the environmental impacts of gamebird releasing and help inform potential future policy in Wales.

BASC Wales director Steve Griffiths said: “It is vital that this review fully recognises that well-managed gamebird releasing already delivers significant benefits for biodiversity, habitat management and rural communities across Wales.

“BASC will engage constructively with the process, but any future proposals must be based on robust, balanced evidence and not on assumptions. While we recognise the importance of an evidence-led review, BASC will use every tool at our disposal to strongly challenge any assumptions that fail to reflect the positive environmental role of shooting.”

BASC, which led the fight against a proposed ban on gamebird releasing in Wales with its ‘Act Now’ campaign in 2023, will provide guidance around today’s call for evidence once further details are published by the Welsh government.