BASC response to threatened ban on driven grouse shooting

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) is urging supporters of sustainable shooting to take immediate action in response to a petition by Wild Justice calling for a ban on grouse shooting.

Many newly elected MPs may be unfamiliar with the environmental, social and economic benefits sustainable grouse shooting delivers, leaving them open to one-sided arguments. BASC is encouraging its members and supporters to contact their MPs to highlight the vital role of grouse shooting and to invite them to visit a grouse moor to see the work being done firsthand.

Grouse moors are carefully managed to maintain healthy ecosystems and deliver measurable benefits to wildlife and habitats. These include supporting the preservation of threatened species, protecting the UK’s largest carbon store, and maintaining upland landscapes. Furthermore, grouse shooting provides significant economic support to rural areas, employing thousands of people and sustaining fragile rural communities.

BASC head of uplands, Alex Farrell, said:

“Grouse shooting is a cornerstone of conservation in the UK’s uplands, supporting biodiversity, tackling climate change, and sustaining rural economies. Managed grouse moors have up to five times more threatened wading birds than unmanaged areas, while vital peatland restoration efforts on these moors protect the UK’s largest carbon store. These practices enhance not only the environment but also the resilience of iconic landscapes within our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

“Beyond conservation, grouse shooting provides around 2,500 jobs, underpinning the livelihoods of upland communities.

“We urge MPs to look beyond the rhetoric of those calling for a ban and recognise the full picture. Sustainable grouse shooting represents a model of responsible land management that benefits wildlife, people, and the environment.”