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Royal Welsh Show launch for project to determine the value of shooting in Wales
A new project to evaluate how much sustainable shooting is worth to the Welsh economy, people and environment was launched at the Royal Welsh Show last week.
The project, an inquiry into the Value of Shooting and Practical Conservation to Wales, is being co-ordinated by the Senedd Shooting and Conservation Cross-Party Group (CPG). The inquiry will focus on four core areas of employment, tourism, health and wellbeing, and biodiversity. It will assess the economics of shooting in Wales and the barriers it may face.
The results will be published in a report outlining tangible recommendations for future governments. CPG chair James Evans MS announced the launch at a reception on the BASC stand with representatives from farming bodies, shooting interests and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT).
Call for evidence
Mr Evans, Conservative MS for Brecon and Radnorshire, underlined the role that the new Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) may have to play for shooting interests in Wales.
He said: “A lot of farm shoots across Wales are going to have to change the way they operate in order to deal with the SFS. We will be calling for evidence from stakeholders for our inquiry. This piece of work will inform not only this government but the next government. It will submit clear and practical ways we can improve shooting and conservation across Wales, and in doing so we will improve the prospects for shooting across Wales and make sure this great sector continues for generations to come.”
Steve Griffiths, BASC Wales director, said: “BASC is supporting the inquiry and will gather evidence from the GWCT and other stakeholders. This will be collated and analysed by our evidence team and presented in a report. We are expecting the report to contain eight practical recommendations. These will be submitted to the new Welsh Government after the May elections.”
An opportunity for key engagements
The show, held at Builth Wells, also saw the BASC team undertake other key engagements with politicians, partners and stakeholders. These included meetings with Darren Millar, leader of the Welsh Conservative Party; Sam Kurtz, Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs; Paul Davies, Shadow Minister for West Wales; and Andrew Ranger, Labour MS for Wrexham.
The main BASC stand followed a theme of sustainable farming and how it ties in with shooting, along with the usual focus on BASC services like firearms advice, member benefits and training opportunities.
Elsewhere at the show, BASC staff manned the air rifle shooting range and gave gundog handling displays.
This year’s show also saw BASC director of shooting and operations Gareth Dockerty present a BASC award to Andrew RT Davies MS for his services to shooting and conservation in Wales over many years. Andrew established the Cross-Party Group for Shooting and Conservation and has championed policies in government which strike a balance between conservation and responsible shooting.
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