A new inquiry was launched in the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells last week to evaluate the value of sustainable shooting to the Welsh economy. The Senedd Cymru Cross Party Shooting and Conservation group will be researching the economic contribution of shooting and associated activities to the Welsh economy. The inquiry will focus on four key areas:
- Employment
- Tourism
- Health and wellbeing
- Biodiversity
The results of the inquiry will be published in a report that will set out practical recommendations for future governments. The chair of the group James Evans MS announced the inquiry on the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, before representatives from the farming and shooting sectors.
James Evans MS said:
“A lot of farm shoots across Wales are going to have to change the way they operate in order to deal with the SFS. We will be calling for evidence from stakeholders for our inquiry. This piece of work will inform not only this government but the next government. It will submit clear and practical ways we can improve shooting and conservation across Wales, and in doing so we will improve the prospects for shooting across Wales and make sure this great sector continues for generations to come.”
Steve Griffiths, BASC Wales director, said:
“BASC is supporting the inquiry and will gather evidence from the GWCT and other stakeholders. This will be collated and analysed by our evidence team and presented in a report. We are expecting the report to contain eight practical recommendations. These will be submitted to the new Welsh Government after the May elections.”
You can find out more information about the work of the group by following this link to the Senedd Cymru website.
