We need your help to secure the future of shooting for us all

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With a General Election on the not-too-distant horizon and all the political parties experiencing a turbulent time, this is a really important time in politics in all corners of the UK. What happens over the next year or two will likely have long-ranging implications on the future of politics in the UK: and this of course includes the future of shooting sports.  

As we all know, shooting sports are continually coming under pressure from a variety of groups and areas – and this isn’t a problem which is going away. Calls to limit shooting sports aren’t just coming from anti-shooting lobbies but also from other, more worrying areas: for example from the Welsh Government. There, the Labour government will shortly be launching a consultation on the releasing of game birds for driven game shooting. 

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation spends a lot of time speaking to politicians and advisors about the importance of shooting, and the benefits that it brings to our countryside and to rural people.  

But what we really need is for people on the ground to explain to the politicians why shooting is so important to you. To highlight the benefits you see it bring both to yourself and those around you, and also to the wildlife and countryside. It is important that this message comes from individuals as well as from your organisations.  

That individual can be you: the person who runs the shoot and manages the environment. It can also be the local publican who sees the benefits that shooting brings to his rural business; it can be a landowner or the guns; or a neighbour whose grandson enjoys spending time on the beating line. 

All rural individuals, rural businesses and those who enjoy the countryside are encouraged to contact their local representatives and highlight the benefits shooting brings to them.  
We have also made a YouTube video to explain why we need your help, and how you can help. It can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wve5mguQ2r4

How?
There are two ways you can do this; in person, or in writing. 

Most Members of Parliament or the Senedd hold regular surgeries for their constituents. These tend to be on Fridays, and are an excellent opportunity to meet your representative in person and discuss any concerns you may have.  

If you’re in England, you can find out who your MP is and how to contact them here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP. If you’re in Wales, you can find out who your MS is through this link: https://senedd.wales/find-a-member-of-the-senedd/ 

We urge you all to write to your MP or MS and ask them to support the future of shooting in the UK. Let them know that an end to game shooting would mean an end your livelihood, put you out of a home and destroy large parts of the rural economy. Please also ask them if they understand the good that shooting does for iconic species such as the curlew, grey partridge and black grouse. The NGO Educational Trust sent a copy of the book Moorland Matters by Ian Coghill to every MS last year: it would be good to ask your MS if they have read the book.  

On a national level 

We should all also write to the Labour leader Keir Starmer, who is looking to attract the rural vote. He has previously said that ‘No party can claim to represent the country, if it doesn’t represent the countryside.’ Ask him if he supports the stance of the Welsh Labour Government, who have said that they do not support the shooting of live quarry as a leisure activity. Explain that you are a rural person and how the loss of shooting will affect you personally. He can be contacted via email on: keir.starmer.mp@parliament.uk 

Each letter must be individual to you but if you need any help at all please contact the Tim Weston / John Clarke via 01833 660 869 or email info@nationalgamekeepers.org.uk 

We would be delighted to be forwarded any response that you receive.