Call to Action – Support the return of pheasant shooting leases on public land in Wales

The Countryside Alliance is asking members and supporters in Wales to send a letter calling on the Board of Natural Resource Wales (NRW) to reverse the decisions taken on the 20th September 2018, which included the end of pheasant shooting leases on public land.

Before the intervention of the Labour Government, NRW spent £48,000 of taxpayers' money on a review that recommended game shooting be allowed to continue, and that was what the Board intended to do. It is clear that the NRW Board felt compelled to change their position because of pressure from the Environment Minister, but the Minister has now made it clear on public record that her intervention was not binding. As such the NRW Board is free to follow the recommendations of their review, as they originally intended to do. We are encouraging our members and supporters to call on the Board to do exactly that.

Countryside Alliance Wales Director Rachel Evans said: "It is vital that NRW revert to the decisions they took in their board meeting on the 12th of July 2018 which were built on a sound evidence base. Ending these shooting leases leaves NRW's reputation as an evidence-led organisation in tatters, sends a dreadful signal to the rural community in Wales and will have serious consequences for people and businesses in remote rural areas. The Environment Minister has made it very clear that NRW are not bound to follow her misguided comments, so there is still time for this harm to be undone."

The Alliance have produced a letter, which is available in both English and Welsh, which can be sent from here. The letter is for supporters residing in Wales and will be copied to the sender's Assembly Members. The Alliance believes this is a matter for the people of Wales to decide, but we are encouraging those who live outside of Wales but have contributed to the Welsh rural economy by visiting to hunt, shoot or fish, to voice their opinions directly to the board of NRW.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• To support the return of pheasant shooting leases on public land in Wales please click here.


• To read all of our press releases on the matter please click on the links below:

Welsh Environment Minister Pins Blame for Pheasant Shooting Ban on NRW

Labour Minister's pressure sees £40,000 review ignored in Wales

Minister orders NRW to ignore evidence ahead of Board meeting

Letter Opposing Game Shooting Leaves Welsh Government with Serious Questions to Answer