New Defra Minister speaks at BASC rural reception

[Conor O'Gorman]

The new Defra Minister, Dame Angela Eagle MP, told guests at a rural reception hosted by BASC and the Angling Trust that she was in “listening mode”. She said her aim was to get the best for the sectors she represents.

More details:

New Defra Minister speaks at BASC rural reception

Speaking at BASC's rural reception, Defra Minister Dame Angela Eagle MP said she wants to get the best for the sectors she represents.

basc.org.uk

As an all-party organisation, BASC attends all autumn party conferences. Having attended the Reform, Liberal Democrat and Labour conferences we will also be at the Green and Conservative conferences in the weeks ahead.

 

[tackb]

thank you for attending on shooting sports behalf , would basc be prepared to summarise their findings after the conference season to give shooters a steer on the political parties positions?

 

[Conor O'Gorman]

thank you for attending on shooting sports behalf , would basc be prepared to summarise their findings after the conference season to give shooters a steer on the political parties positions?

Yes, there will be some summaries across the conferences published in the sporting press in due course. Here is the last overview based on the manifestos ahead of the general election.

Election 2024: what do the party manifestoes say about shooting?

BASC’s Conor O’Gorman reviews political party manifestoes and urges everyone to contact their parliamentary candidates before 4 July.

basc.org.uk

 

[Nimrod1960]

Well done Conor and team, I can’t think of anything worse than trying to get the engagement of the political muppets of all colours.
Keep it up

 

[cjm1066]

Early days, let’s hope she is listening, and well done for getting to her at an early stage.

One thing is for sure if we via our organisation don't engage with the politicians, who will?

 

[timbrayford]

Hopefully she'll take on board that acceptable lead shot cartridge substitutes are nowhere near as widely available as the woefully inadequate HSE investigation believed. Especially bearing in mind that plastic wads, regardless of whether they are claimed to biodegrade or not, are not permitted in many shooting locations and the paucity of lighter non lead loads for anything smaller than 12 guage .

 

[VSS]

Hopefully she'll take on board that acceptable lead shot cartridge substitutes are nowhere near as widely available as the woefully inadequate HSE investigation believed. Especially bearing in mind that plastic wads, regardless of whether they are claimed to biodegrade or not, are not permitted in many shooting locations and the paucity of lighter non lead loads for anything smaller than 12 guage .

I think there are far more important things that she needs to be taking on board, such as the role of shooting in conservation, rural communities and rural employment, rather than fussing over whether the industry has got it's **** together enough to update it's ammunition manufacturing processes.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I think there are far more important things that she needs to be taking on board, such as the role of shooting in conservation, rural communities and rural employment, rather than fussing over whether the industry has got it's **** together enough to update it's ammunition manufacturing processes.

A wholly understandable observation from a left wing farmer with liberal leanings, but I venture you wouldn't be so condemnationary if you enjoyed competitive rifle shooting that involved punching holes in paper!

K

 

[timbrayford]

I think there are far more important things that she needs to be taking on board, such as the role of shooting in conservation, rural communities and rural employment, rather than fussing over whether the industry has got it's **** together enough to update it's ammunition manufacturing processes.

I disagree, I think that there's plenty of scope for a phased replacement of lead shot. Referring back to my earlier conversation with a cartridge manufacturer the focus on new load development appears to centre around 12 bore ammunition , so why not defer the change over for the smaller calibres until these new loads are well established. You didn't mention micro-plastic pollution, weren't you aware of this issue?

 

[VSS]

I disagree, I think that there's plenty of scope for a phased replacement of lead shot. Referring back to my earlier conversation with a cartridge manufacturer the focus on new load development appears to centre around 12 bore ammunition , so why not defer the change over for the smaller calibres until these new loads are well established. You didn't mention micro-plastic pollution, weren't you aware of this issue?

I agree with you.
But I think there are far wider issues that the new Defra Minister needs to be taking on board with regard to shooting sports and their role in our countryside today, rather than be being pestered - at this early stage - about the minutiae of the lead debate.
Because, let's face it, without lead we can carry on shooting. Without the support of government we can't.

 

[suburban bushwacker]

poor hapless Dame Angela Eagle.
the expression Post Turtle springs to mind. as does Loser.

 

[timbrayford]

without lead we can carry on shooting. Without the support of government we can't.

If you haven't got a readily available lead alternative you can't shoot either, which is why I believe that any legislation should allow a staggered phase out, starting with 12 bore who are best catered for at the moment.

 

[VSS]

If you haven't got a readily available lead alternative you can't shoot either, which is why I believe that any legislation should allow a staggered phase out, starting with 12 bore who are best catered for at the moment.

As long as we still have guns we'll find something to send down the barrel.
The continuation of shooting sports doesn't depend on whether lead is still allowed. It depends on whether guns are still allowed.

 

[Apthorpe]

Well done. If she's in listenng mode, I imagine one of the most pressing questions must arise from Labour's tax raid on farms. At the time the minister claimed that Labour's policies to increase farm incomes and profitability would fully compensate for the 20% tax raid. One year later, absolutely no trace of any such policy has been announced. When is Labour going to produce a credible set of policies to radically increase farming profits within the next year?

Frankly I think she is in listening mode because Labour has no beneficial policy at all and she will do no good at all.

 

[Chris Richardson]

Yes, there will be some summaries across the conferences published in the sporting press in due course. Here is the last overview based on the manifestos ahead of the general election.

Election 2024: what do the party manifestoes say about shooting?

BASC’s Conor O’Gorman reviews political party manifestoes and urges everyone to contact their parliamentary candidates before 4 July.

basc.org.uk

Certainly looks like reform is the most field sports friendly of the bunch

 

[timbrayford]

As long as we still have guns we'll find something to send down the barrel.
The continuation of shooting sports doesn't depend on whether lead is still allowed. It depends on whether guns are still allowed.

I don't share your optimism on that, the shooting orgs are already lobbying for exemptions for rimfires and airguns and really that needs to apply to sub-12 bore as well. Interestingly not only did my cartridge manufacturer conversation reveal that they were prioritising mainstream 12 bore loads but for the smaller calibres they had yet to source suitable powders, funnily enough that was another thing overlooked by the HSE.

 

[timbrayford]

Certainly looks like reform is the most field sports friendly of the bunch

This is worth a read, its by electoral calculus and in quite reasonable terms explains the surge in support for Reform and the collapsing support for the left wing parties. Why People Vote Reform