Importance of shooting community recognised at Lib Dem conference

A Liberal Democrat MP has highlighted the importance of BASC members when it comes to dialogue in the rural community.

Speaking at the BASC rural reception at the Liberal Democrats’ Spring Conference, Alistair Carmichael MP for Orkney and Shetland commented, “we need farmers, the rural community and BASC members”.

Speaking at the reception, which was held during the conference in York, Alistair said: “One of the big challenges in politics is keeping a dialogue with groups who may not, on the face of it, be such obvious supporters. We do appreciate the engagement we get from those who shoot and we are grateful for BASC’s continued support at Conference.

“For rural communities, there is an existential threat at the moment, with ideological forces at play. But nothing that we see and appreciate in the countryside happens by accident. We need farmers, the rural community and BASC members. Dialogue with the rural community is essential.

Christopher Graffius, BASC executive director of communications and public affairs, spoke of shooting’s importance to the countryside and sustainability credentials. He said: “We know that shooting must be sustainable. That has always been a watchword of our community.

“Conservation can only be done on a landscape scale and those who manage our countryside must be engaged.”

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