Shooting takes centre stage in heated Senedd debate

Shooting was on the agenda in Cardiff Bay yesterday (Wednesday 26 April) during a heated Senedd Plenary debate, led by Brecon and Radnorshire MS, James Evans. 

Speaking passionately in defence of shooting and citing its myriad of benefits, not least for conservation and the already fragile Welsh rural economy, Mr Evans was supported by a chorus of cross-party voices. 

The debate came in the midst of a controversial 12-week consultation, launched by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on behalf of the Welsh Government, that introduces proposals for a licensing system for the release of pheasants and red-legged partridge in Wales.

If implemented, Wales would be the first country in the UK to license game shoots, prompting wide-spread concern about the future of biodiversity and impact excessive regulation could have on the rural economy.

Among the Senedd Members to speak in support of shooting during the debate were: Laura Anne Jones MS, Samuel Kurtz MS, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS and Russell George MS. 

James Evans MS said: “Shooting is fundamental to rural communities in Wales. It provides opportunities for people from all walks of life to come together in the great outdoors and enjoy each other's company. I agree with Sir Gareth Edwards CBE who has publicly stated that he truly believes that shooting in rural Wales is bound up with our nation's culture and traditions.

He went on to say: “It is clear that sustainable shooting and the associated conservation activities provide a wide range of environmental and economic benefits, achieving each of the seven well-being goals set out in the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015”.

In her contribution, Laura Anne Jones MS said: “What we’re currently seeing is the Welsh Government putting forward the beginning of an anti-shooting agenda by wanting to change the regulation of this release of game birds. This divisive agenda is another example of large-scale state intervention with increasing red tape around licensing. 

And in closing added: “It’s high time the Welsh Government got on with their day job in trying to fix the record NHS waiting times and the failing education system instead of meddling in our rural way of life”.

Samuel Kurtz MS said: “The conservation element of shooting is equally important. I’ve been out on shoots as a picker-upper looking at the benefits of what the shoot does, and it really struck me—where else in our society would we have a sport where we have a grandfather and his granddaughter going out for a day, spending time together in the great outdoors in the countryside, being able to name the birds in the trees, the plants on the ground, and the trees growing, and their roots in that part of the world? 

He went on to say: “I have to pay tribute as well to the Countryside Alliance and BASC because, as James mentioned, I sponsored with Llyr Gruffydd the Aim to Sustain event in the Pierhead building, which was fantastic, showing the nutritional value of game meat, showing how carbon neutral it is in that sense, and how it ticks so many of those boxes”. 

Mabon ap Gwynfor MS said: “I live in a community where there are six shoots around me. I’m sorry to say that we lost two recently because of the economic circumstances, and that’s had a detrimental economic impact on the area. But I see the economic value, the cultural value and the social value of these shoots. It’s wonderful to see the pubs full from morning at breakfast time through to the socialising in the evening, and the economic impact that that has”.

In response to the wave of speakers in support of shooting, the Welsh Government had little to offer by way of a meaningful response. 

Clearly not listening to any of the evidence set before her, Minister Julie James’s contribution concluded by stating: “I don't, I'm afraid, support it in any way as a leisure activity. I do not think killing anything as a sport or leisure is anything any civilised society should support, I'm afraid, and I've been very clear about that.”

She added: “We absolutely do need to protect our way of life and we need to protect our communities, but we also need to change our behaviour.’

Speaking outside the Senedd building after the debate, Rachel Evans, Wales’s Countryside Alliance Director said: “The Welsh Government made it crystal clear that they do not support game bird shooting here in Wales. Even when questioned about the environmental benefits of shooting, Julie James refused to acknowledge it, despite the evidence. Welsh Labour are underestimating how many of their members and supporters take part in shooting and it is vital that everybody, wherever they live in the UK, take just a few seconds to complete our e-lobby. We really do need all hands on deck”.

Our e-lobby, which makes responding to the Welsh Government’s consultation on gamebird releasing easier, has now been completed by thousands of people. It is of the utmost importance that anybody involved in game shooting, not only in Wales but in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland, responds to this consultation. Click here to sign.