Campaigning for Shooting 2024 - 2025: A year in retrospect, and the year ahead

Managing the threats to shooting and its associated land management practices is central to our work, and Campaigning for Shooting 2024 – 2025 provides an overview of the main issues with which we have been dealing over the last year and looks ahead to those with which we could be dealing over the next 12 months under the new government. We engaged directly with candidates ahead of the election, and also ran an e-lobby to ensure that those elected to represent us, and the next government, understand the priorities and concerns of rural people. Our e-lobby was used by over 11,000 members and supporters to contact candidates in their constituencies.

In Labour’s manifesto of 136 pages, there was no mention of the word rural, 87 words on farming, and 50 relating to so called ‘animal welfare’, with a commitment to ban ‘snare traps’. They have also pledged to introduce full cost recovery for firearms licensing. Whilst there was no mention of either of these undertakings in The King’s Speech on 17 July, which set out the agenda for the first session of the new government, we fully expect them to be pursued in due course. Labour’s talk of respect for the countryside, and acknowledgements of past failings have been welcomed; only time will tell whether these were genuine. 

At some stage during the coming months, we expect to learn more about the government’s approach to issues like general licences for the control of pest species, and whether it intends to follow the example of Labour in Wales with regards the licensing of the release of pheasants and red-legged partridge. No one can afford to be complacent, and the Campaign for Shooting will be at the forefront of challenging any threats to shooting as they emerge. 

The Campaign for Shooting has a pivotal role in promoting and protecting shooting in Parliament, across the devolved administrations, in the media, and on the ground. We challenge misinformation and bias; promote the considerable environmental, economic, and social benefits of shooting; and positively influence policy. We are frequently contacted by politicians and journalists when input on shooting issues is required, and our coverage both in the national and regional media is extensive. Our objectives are to secure and enhance the long-term sustainability of shooting and its associated land management practices, and to manage and reduce political risk at all levels.

Campaigning for Shooting 2024 - 2025: a year in retrospect, and the year ahead

Download now