Both those who shoot and those responsible for regulation bear a shared responsibility according to the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
BASC chairman Alan Jarrett said: “The responsibility for effective regulation is shared between those making the rules and those affected by them. People who shoot must abide by the law, but those making the law must abide by the principles of solid evidence and better regulation.”
“With the shooting seasons opening there can be no excuses from the small minority of people who believe it is still acceptable to ignore regulations on the use of lead shot. Different rules apply in different areas of the UK but it is everyone’s responsibility to make sure laws are followed.”
“BASC is committed to fight for better regulation where it might affected shooting and is clear on the future of lead ammunition – with no sound evidence, there will be no change.”
Photographer: Torrey Wiley
BASC chief executive Richard Ali said: “BASC is working to ensure that all policy decisions are based on impartial scientific evidence and follow the principles of better regulation. Sound evidence is based on facts and facts alone. Researchers and scientists must safeguard against letting what is known as ‘white-hat bias’ creep into their work, allowing it to be skewed by personal opinion, poor evidence, incomplete data or even previous work. BASC will not stand for policy based on shaky foundations.”
“Better regulation means ensuring that red tape is stripped away.If regulation is necessary it should be proportionate to, and specifically and tightly targeted at, a problem. Regulation must be consistent, clear to all and open to public scrutiny. Too often we have seen poor regulation applied to shooting and BASC is determined to see that change.”
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