BASC and the Countryside Alliance used the three main parties’ conferences to highlight the importance of shooting and fishing to the economy and environment, accompanied by the Angling Trust.
At the Liberal Democrat conference on 17-21 September, Brecon and Radnorshire MP Roger Williams expressed his support for shooting sports.
He said: “As we all know, the rural economy goes through good and bad times, so it is good to see BASC and the Angling Trust providing these two very beneficial rural activities, managing them well and promoting them.”
Lord Redesdale, in an address to the BASC rural reception, said: “We tend to be apologetic about shooting. However, it is a fantastic sport and generates a vast amount of money, which goes back into the rural economy.
“We should be proud of this, and continue to do our utmost to carry on making people aware of its benefits.”
The Labour conference on 25-29 September saw a strong countryside slant, with shadow secretary of state for environment Mary Creagh emphasising the need for “strong rural communities”.
Gavin Shuker, also a shadow minister for environment, food and rural affairs, told the BASC reception: “I’m really looking forward to working alongside you.
“We must ensure that we don’t lose focus on what’s important – we must protect our rural economy and help promote awareness of the benefits that shooting and fishing bring to it.”
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