COUNTRYSIDE ALLIANCE

Successfully lobbied to ensure that an unworkable game rearing code was withdrawn by the Government. The code has been rewritten to ensure that it does not adversely affect game shooting. 

• Currently acting as watchdog for the shooting community on the Lead Ammunition Group which is looking into the effects of lead on human health and the environment.
• Stopped a UK ban on the carriage of ammunition on airlines following a move to legislate by the European Parliament.
• Boosted the game-to-eat campaign to ensure that sales of game have increased by 64%, outstripping sales of organic products by more than double. Promoted game to an audience of 67 million people - equivalent to £412,000 in advertising value.
• Promoted shooting to around 30 million people in the UK through the annual National Shooting Week, winning cross-party political support. Thousands of newcomers tried shooting for the first time at over 100 venues.
• Highlighted the economic value of the sport through initiatives like Shooting Stars when we matched 30 people under 30 working in the shooting sector with their regional newspapers. Also, the survey of residents in a north-east village that powerfully illustrated for the Glorious Twelfth how rural communities are reliant on grouse shooting.
• Demonstrated how the public supports the control of predators to protect threatened species through a survey carried out by ORB for the Countryside Alliance, Moorland Association and National Gamekeepers Organisation.
• Secured new guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers, preventing long delays when renewing/applying for shotgun and firearm certificates.
• Gained cross party support for shooting and secured the presence of government ministers at Alliance shooting events. These included Sports Ministers, Rural Affairs Ministers, Home Office Ministers, plus numerous MPs and Peers.
• Arranged regular columns, features and new stories in all of the major shooting magazines
• Offered daily expert advice by phone and email to members on a wide range of shooting and firearms matters.
• Created a suite of essential information for shooters, including risk assessment guides, gun safety leaflets and Shooting Club Directories.
• Played a major role in the continual revision and improvement of the Code of Good Shooting Practice in conjunction with other shooting organisations.
• Taken part in a wide range of TV and radio interviews on shooting matters as well as providing regular comments and articles for the wider print media.
• Researched and submitted robust responses to Government consultations and in doing so prevented unwelcome changes to pest control licences and the potential misuse of sensitive data.
• Lobbied in the UK and abroad on a continuing stream of issues that threaten shooting in different ways such as cost sharing, coastal access, animal by-product orders and lead shot.

The Countryside Alliance Foundation

The Countryside Alliance Foundation is an independent charity which works alongside the Countryside Alliance. Its aims are wider, focusing on the education and conservation. The Foundation is mentioned here because, in the context of education, is it doing some valuable work relating to shooting and the countryside.

The Foundation has funded a three year PHD study investigating allegations of a potential decline (or not) in woodcock numbers. 

The work of a gamekeeper, alongside other rural workers, has been showcased by the Foundation to school children using www.countrysideinvestigators.org.uk, which is currently being taught in 10% of primary schools.

Media-training for 75 student gamekeepers has been delivered via an ex-BBC team to enable them to promote shooting’s conservation benefits in their local communities and beyond.)