To boost levels of interaction between MPs and the shooting community, BASC has launched a BASC Parliamentary Campaign to Support Rural Britain.
A match-making service provided by BASC for parliamentarians to visit shooting businesses including gamekeepers, clubs, syndicates and the trade within their constituencies.
The initiative follows on from last year’s incredibly successful birdbox project that saw cross-party MPs put up birdboxes in their constituencies.
Through contacts in Parliament, BASC will help coordinate and attend the visits so the local MP can see and hear first-hand the economic, conservation and social benefits of sustainable shooting.
We are excited to announce the first visits are already booked in to take place this Autumn.
Jak Abrahams, BASC’s political affairs manager, said: “BASC is bringing rural Britain to the gates of Westminster, we will be knocking on doors to ensure every MP understands the benefits that sustainable shooting provides economically, environmentally and socially.”
The campaign has already received widespread political support.
Labour MP and shadow Home Office minister Conor McGinn said: “I welcome the contribution made by BASC and the Support Rural Britain campaign. Rural communities and businesses are facing severe challenges from the pandemic and that’s why Labour has called for specific support for jobs and investment in rural areas. I am looking forward to continuing to engage in discussions locally, regionally and nationally about the rural economy, wildlife conservation and the role of sustainable shooting in supporting jobs and benefiting our countryside.”
Conservative MP Bill Wiggin said: “The beauty and the value of our countryside is underwritten and maintained by the shooting community, who do so much to conserve and protect all that we hold dear.
“Threats to shooting are threats to jobs, to conservation, to nature and to a way of life that has carved out the English countryside into our wondrous and managed rural landscape. This is an environment which is cherished but sadly misunderstood by our urban neighbours.
“Luckily BASC is in the vanguard of our defence of the countryside and we should support their campaign.”
BASC is searching for gamekeepers, shoots, clubs, syndicates and trade members who are willing to showcase their sport and business to their local MP. If you are willing to assist us in this initiative please contact politics@basc.org.uk for more information.
