BASC takes shooting’s case to party conferences

Fieldsports represented at party conferences

BASC has secured direct engagement with the new Defra Minister and senior opposition MPs at the Labour and Liberal Democrat party conferences, with the association warning that some policies under consideration could seriously damage shooting’s contribution to the rural economy.

Defra Minister in “listening mode”

Addressing the BASC reception at Labour’s conference in Liverpool on 29 September, Dame Angela Eagle MP explained she was in “listening mode” as she settled into her new brief.

The Defra minister stressed the need for “proper rural development” to spread economic opportunity more widely, and to ensure farmers and fisheries can turn a profit while becoming better equipped to handle uncertainty.

BASC pushes for cooperation with Government

BASC vice chair Claire Sadler welcomed Dame Angela’s appointment but issued a clear warning. “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,” she 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.”

Over 200 Lib Dems attend BASC reception

The association also hosted a rural reception at the Liberal Democrat conference in Bournemouth on 22 September, where Alistair Carmichael MP, chair of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Select Committee, praised BASC’s engagement with his party.

“One of the things that genuinely concerns me is the gulf of understanding between the realities of life in the countryside and the realities of life in the city,” Mr Carmichael told more than 200 attendees.

The Orkney and Shetland MP warned against allowing social media to deepen the urban-rural divide and urged BASC to continue telling the story of what its members do in rural communities.

“Draw on our experience,” urges BASC exec

BASC executive director of communications and public affairs Christopher Graffius echoed Mr Carmichael’s sentiments: “I would say to any political party that they should rely and draw on the experience of those who go out into the countryside and walk it every day. We have a story to tell and our voice is critical to the future of the countryside.”

Both receptions were held in partnership with the Angling Trust and followed a well-attended reception at the Reform UK conference in Birmingham on 7 September.

Next week’s conferences

As an “all-party organisation”, BASC attends all autumn party conferences. The association is scheduled to attend the Green Party conference in Bournemouth from 3-5 October, as well as the Conservative Party conference in Manchester from 5-8 October.

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