Latest news round-up

Shooting boosts mountain hares

A report to the European Commission, due to be published this month, will change the conservation status of the mountain hare to ‘unfavourable’. But BASC has highlighted recent research that indicates that the population of mountain hares can be up to 35 times higher on land managed for grouse shooting relative to unmanaged moorland.

Dr Colin Shedden, BASC Scotland director, said: “BASC refutes the call for the culling of mountain hares to cease in Scotland. Efforts to improve the mountain hare’s conservation status in Scotland should focus on enhancing understanding of their ecology and natural variability, not attacking the habitat that suits them best.”

Lead under threat – again!

There’s a new threat to the use of lead in shotgun and rifle ammunition, as it emerged that the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) will be developing proposals for further restrictions on the use of lead across the European Union.

The European Commission has instructed the ECHA to conduct research into the matter, with a view to producing suggestions by October 2020. Though it’s not clear what they will propose, anything is on the table, including a complete ban.

What happens next, or if the UK will still have to comply with any new restrictions despite Brexit, is not clear – though any game meat exported into the EU would still have to conform no matter what.

A BASC spokesperson said: “The EC and ECHA have clearly signalled their intent to seek a hard line approach in support of a complete ban on the use of lead ammunition with the exception of the military.

“BASC is working closely with colleagues at FACE to ensure the interests of the UK shooting community and ammunition manufacturers are fully represented in Europe. There is still plenty of time for organisations, manufacturers and individuals to have an input.”

NSS moves a day earlier

The Northern Shooting Show has announced new dates for next year. The show will now take place on 8-9 May – one day earlier than previously expected – as Friday 8 May will be a bank holiday in 2020.

As always, the show will take place at the Yorkshire Event Centre and the surrounding showground in Harrogate. Head to northernshootingshow.co.uk to buy tickets now.

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