Scottish election: manifesto analysis
Ahead of the Scottish elections on 6 May, Ross Ewing breaks down the party manifestos to expose how their policies will affect shooting and conservation.
New Defra Minister speaks at BASC rural reception
The new Defra Minister, Dame Angela Eagle MP, told guests at a rural reception hosted by BASC and the Angling Trust that she was in “listening mode”. She said her aim was to get the best for the sectors she represents.
Speaking at the reception held yesterday during the Labour Party Annual Conference in Liverpool, Dame Angela said: “We have to ensure that we can have proper rural development in our country so that we extend economic opportunity far and wide. And we also have to ensure that we have a farming and fisheries system which makes a profit for the very hard-working people who work in those sectors, while also increasing resilience in a time when the global situation is far less predictable than it’s been for many years.”
She added: “I hope that I’ll be able to work with all of you from the sectors that you’re in. I’m in listening mode at the moment; I want us to get the best for the sectors that I’m in Defra to represent within government. I also want us to get the best out of the trade deals and the new economic opportunities that we can.”
BASC vice chair Claire Sadler (pictured above) told the reception: “Shooting and conservation are part of the warp and weft of rural life. BASC is all-party and we are keen to assist Labour in producing sensible, evidence-based policy. While we welcome Labour’s support for sustainable shooting within the law, we are concerned that some of the policies being considered would seriously damage shooting and its contribution to growth and the economy.
“Growth in rural areas cannot ignore shooting and conservation. But we are delighted with the appointment of the new Minister and we look forward to working together.”
As an all-party organisation, BASC attends all autumn party conferences and will be at the Green and Conservative conferences in the weeks ahead.
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