Shooting UK is your complete shooting resource. From gun reviews to shotgun licence and firearms certificate information, to clay pigeon shooting, game shooting, shooting lessons and gundog training.
By Selena Masson
Friday, 31 July 2009
The big debate at this year’s CLA Game Fair saw politicians call for greater self-regulation from the shooting industry
Self-regulation of the shooting community emerged as the principal theme of BASC’s Future of Shooting debate, which was held on 24 July at The CLA Game Fair. The well-attended debate was held in the Game Fair Theatre and simultaneously broadcast on Game Fair Radio.
Chaired by BASC’s chief executive John Swift, the three panellists, Conservative MP Jim Paice, Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Öpik and CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, answered questions posed by the audience regarding shooting’s long-term future in the UK. “Government regulation should be the last resort, not the first,” commented Mr Paice. He added that common sense regulation should not be “party political” and that if the shooting industry is to flourish in the future, action must be taken now to stave off critics. Mr Öpik agreed: “I am wary that political expedience could threaten the whole sector.”
Audience member Hugh Thomas, from Exmoor, asked the panel whether the shooting industry is being sufficently robust about finding an alternative to lead shot. Mr Paice commented that the industry has to be guided by science: “In my opinion, there is no short-term threat, but the industry needs to do all it can to develop an alternative to lead shot. We cannot defend the indefensible.” Mr Öpik believed there was not a case for banning lead shot until an alternative has been found: “However, we need to be hands-on and not wait until we are forced to find an alternative, like the petrol industry.”
The rest of this article appears in 29 July issue of Shooting Times.
Finding a reliable scope with an integrated laser range finding device... Read more
My dog will not stop wetting it's bed - until i find a suitable c... Read more
The Government's proposals contained within the Controls on Deac... Read more
Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 16th May). FREE PRIZE DRAW: Win a Browning T-bolt.22 and Winchester ammo. Graham Downing gives his tips on where to find the best foreign sport! For all this and a whole lot more buy your copy today!
Save up to 31% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today and perfect gift this Christmas.
Comments