Game shooting is an integral part of rural Welsh life, which has come under fire politically in Cardiff under the current Welsh government. The Senedd election is set to be pivotal for the future of game shooting, so the Countryside Alliance asked each of the major parties standing for election what their policy is concerning game shooting in Wales. This is what they said:

Welsh Conservatives

“Shooting makes a vital contribution to Wales’ biodiversity, rural economy, food production and community life, and we recognise its importance to the social, environmental and cultural fabric of our countryside.

If elected in May 2026, we will support game shooting, wildfowling and deer stalking by ensuring they are recognised, protected and sustainably managed. This includes formally acknowledging their economic contribution, worth over £190 million annually and supporting thousands of rural jobs and their role in sustaining tourism and local businesses, particularly in rural communities.

We will champion sustainable shooting as a key tool for biodiversity recovery, recognising the extensive conservation work carried out by the shooting community, including habitat creation, predator control and species management. We will work with stakeholders to ensure policy is guided by robust scientific evidence and practical experience on the ground.

To support long-term sustainability, we will:

• Adopt and promote recognised Codes of Practice for sustainable shooting and game management, ensuring high standards and ethical practice.
• Maintain a fair and workable licensing system, based on evidence, with appropriate timelines for rural businesses.
• Protect the role of wildfowling clubs and access to key landscapes, ensuring continued conservation, monitoring and cultural heritage.

We also recognise the importance of deer stalking in balancing ecosystems and protecting agriculture and forestry, and will support updated, evidence-led deer and wildlife management plans to ensure healthy populations and minimise environmental damage.

Finally, we will promote the food and health benefits of Welsh game meat, supporting local supply chains and encouraging its wider use, while also recognising the positive impact of shooting on physical and mental wellbeing and community cohesion.

Through this approach, we will ensure shooting remains a sustainable, responsible and valued part of Wales’ future."

Plaid Cymru

"Plaid Cymru recognises the key contribution shooting makes to the conservation ecosystem in Wales. We also value its economic and cultural importance to our rural communities. This underpins our support for the sector.

Plaid Cymru also appreciates the undervalued potential of game to the Welsh food sector. Our aim is to make better use of game throughout the public sector in Wales as a healthy and affordable source of sustainable food. Our proposed new National Food Strategy for Wales will aim to strengthen food supply chains, improve food security and make greater use of local produce within public procurement. We will ensure more Welsh produce for Welsh plates.”

Reform

“We wholeheartedly support outdoor pursuits and sports like shooting, enjoyed in rural Wales. No party understands better than we do in Reform that rural Wales depends on more than agriculture alone. 

Reform has been clear; we have put it in black and white in our manifesto: We will defend lawful rural pursuits, we will not ban the release of game birds and we will not over-legislate and ban recreational activities.” 

Welsh Labour

Welsh Labour did not respond to our request for comment. However, their stance on game shooting in Wales is well understood from their actions in government.

Last month, just before the recess ahead of the upcoming election, the Welsh Labour government launched an independent call for evidence on gamebird release in Wales. The minister, Huw Irranca-Davies MS said:

“It remains our policy intention to move towards a more regulated and sustainable system for managing gamebird releases, including the potential introduction of a future licensing regime.”

It is clear that Welsh Labour is set on pursuing further and unnecessary legislation on gamebird release in Wales. Let us not forget that in order to introduce a licensing regime for gamebird release, it would first have to be prohibited. Many people have called Welsh Labour’s approach to gamebird release licensing as a “ban via the back door”.

The Green Party

The Green Party has not responded to our request for comment and has no mention of shooting in their 2026 Welsh election manifesto. However, the Green Party’s anti-shooting agenda is well understood. Their 2024 General Election manifesto said:

“The Green Party is fundamentally opposed to all blood sports and would campaign to introduce a ban on all hunting in the first year of a new parliament.

This includes trophy hunting, trail hunting, where dogs are used to track foxes, and the commercial shooting of game birds. Government subsidies will no longer be given to maintain artificial landscapes designed only for hunting (such as grouse moors).”

This leaves little doubt that, if elected in majority or as part of a coalition, the Green Party is likely to pursue a ban on all game shooting in Wales.

Welsh Liberal Democrats

The leader of the Welsh Lib Dems, Jane Dodds MS, was unable able to provide a comment ahead of their manifesto launch. The Countryside Alliance still awaits a comment.