Rural agencies will be retained by the Government

The Government has decided to retain Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Forestry Commission and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, albeit in reduced form. The announcement, made last Thursday, confirmed that the agencies will not be abandoned, though they will be radically reformed. Natural England and the Environment Agency will cease policy making and lobbying, and will have to cut costs dramatically.

BASC is calling on shooters who might be affected by the reforms to contact the association. Spokesman Simon Clarke said: ?If BASC members hold sporting leases or consents under any of the affected bodies, they should check their lease with that body and if there is a problem they should call BASC.?