Clarity sought on Welsh Government position on country sports
BASC has sought clarification of the Welsh Government’s position on country sport through Samuel Kurtz MS.
MP visits wildfowlers championing conservation
Charlotte Cane MP gained an insight into wildfowl conservation and habitat management during a recent visit to the Ouse Washes.
Liberal Democrat MP for Ely and East Cambridgeshire, Charlotte Cane, joined Cllr Christine Colbert on a visit to the Fenland Wildfowlers Association in July at the Ouse Washes. The visit offered a valuable opportunity to learn about the club’s proactive approach to conservation, sustainable land management and habitat creation, as well as to hear about the challenges facing the wider shooting community.
Guided by Fenland wildfowlers’ chairman Chris Barker, and vice chairman Pete Catling, the group toured the washes to observe the year-round volunteer work that goes into preserving this unique wetland landscape.
Along the way, they encountered a rich variety of wildlife, including swans with cygnets, cattle egrets, red kites and numerous duck species. The group also paused beside a pond teeming with dragonflies and pond skaters to discuss how public access and littering around the washes can disturb habitats and negatively impact biodiversity.
The MP learned about duck nesting tubes that line the waterways, offering crucial protection for nesting mallard against predators, and was presented with a bird box by BASC to continue her conservation efforts at home.
Hearing from the front line
During the visit, Charlotte discussed firearms licensing, upcoming legislative proposals and the implications for her constituents. With more than 650 BASC members in her constituency, she was keen to understand the economic, environmental and social contributions of shooting.
Fenland wildfowlers, one of the largest BASC-affiliated clubs in the region, recently adopted the Sustainable Shooting Code of Practice for Wildfowl Quarry Species, reinforcing their commitment to the future of sustainable shooting. The club embodies the spirit of the sustainable shooting ethos: “Eat what you shoot and only take what you need.”
After the visit, club chairman and BASC Council member, Chris Barker, said: “We were delighted that Charlotte took time out of her busy schedule and gave us the opportunity to showcase some of the important conservation work the club undertakes in this unique landscape. Our club members are all volunteers, carrying out this work for their love of wildlife, and it is a real boost for everyone to receive an acknowledgment of our contribution.”
BASC regional officer, Ryan Darby, added: “It was great to meet Charlotte as part of building key relationships that help highlight the incredible work the shooting community does. Ensuring MPs are well-informed about the benefits of shooting is crucial to our future. Charlotte showed great knowledge and was open to hearing our perspectives. Thank you to the Fenland Wildfowlers Association for welcoming us and for their ongoing support. Visits like this make a real difference.”
Find out more about wildfowling and sustainable shooting here.
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