A proposed new Environment Bill is set to enshrine international environmental principles from international agreements into law, as well as commitments made in the government’s 25-year environment plan.
The Bill sets out goals to improve air and water quality, tackle plastic pollution and restore habitats for plants and wildlife to thrive but currently only covers England.
BASC have now called on the shooting community to step up to the challenges the bill presents. Ian Danby, BASC’s head of biodiversity, said: “People who shoot in the UK spend more than £250 million on conservation each year and influence the management of two thirds of the UK’s rural land area.
“Many people who shoot also engage directly with species-specific conservation projects either led by BASC or with conservation partners. Shooting is continuously rising to new challenges.
“Take for example BASC’s campaign to reduce plastic use within shooting and to improve recycling. Manufacturers are expanding their range of cartridges which do not use plastic in some key components, hence taking responsibility for reducing plastics at the point of production.”
Robin Marshall-Ball, BASC council member and conservation specialist, said: “After spending over a decade working with a wide range of conservation partners, funders, local shoots and institutions on water vole conservation in the south west, I know the very real benefits that shooting has for achieving challenging targets for species and habitats of conservation concern.
“Collaboration was key in this work and is key in meeting the challenges in the new Bill. BASC values partnerships and will engage with others to improve our environment.”
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