The UK’s largest shooting organisation has accused the Welsh Government of a “systematic attack” against game shooting in Wales, which will destroy jobs, rural communities, and decades of conservation work.

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has described proposals to introduce a licensing scheme to release gamebirds by the Welsh Government’s environmental body, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), as a significant threat to the countryside and is urging supporters to act now or face significant restrictions.

The proposals were published alongside a 12-week consultation will see gamebird release banned except under licence, subject to conditions and fees.

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BASC Wales director Steve Griffiths said: “The Welsh Government has taken an increasingly toxic view on recreational shooting in recent years, imposing unevidenced restrictions on game shooting on publicly owned land and refusing Covid-funding to shooting-related businesses. This current set of proposals are simply the next step towards their endgame of shutting down all shooting in Wales regardless of the consequences for jobs, businesses and conservation.

“This is the thin end of the wedge. The introduction of a ban and licensing regime in Wales presents future governments in Wales and across the UK with an open goal to introduce further restrictions.

“The proposals as they stand leave the future of shooting in Wales under significant threat, with hundreds of jobs and businesses, and hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of conservation projects at risk.

“Shooting is already heavily regulated and there is no evidence that further legislation will provide any further benefits. BASC remains vehemently opposed to licensing the release of gamebirds and will work alongside our members and supporters in the Senedd to campaign against these hugely damaging proposals.”