Shooting ‘adds £2bn to rural economy’

Shooting generates £2bn for the UK economy every year, boosts conservation and provides jobs, new research shows.

The independent report – The Value of Shooting – conducted by Cambridge-based Public and Corporate Economic Consultants (PACEC) contains striking new figures, which shows how important shooting is to the rural economy.

The figures show that the amount spent on shooting – £2.5bn – equals almost 10% of the total amount spent on outdoor recreation in a year, which has been measured at £27bn by the Sport and Recreation Alliance.

Read also: Ten key findings of the BBC rural review

People who shoot spend £2.5bn each year on goods and services, bringing income into rural areas, particularly in the low-season for tourism.

Shooting supports the equivalent of 74,000 full-time jobs and is involved in the management of two-thirds of the rural land area, the report found.

And shoot providers spend nearly £250m/year on conservation, of which shooters spend nearly 3.9 million days – that’s the equivalent of 16,000 full-time jobs.

The research shows that an established shoot generates local economic benefits for businesses in a radius of up to 15 miles. While game meat is eaten nationwide.

Two million hectares are actively managed for conservation as a result of shooting.

Commenting on the report, Sir Barney White-Spunner, executive chairman of the Countryside Alliance, said: “This is the most comprehensive research ever to be carried out into the shooting industry and its message is clear – shooting is a crucial part of our rural economy and plays an essential part in managing and conserving the countryside for the millions of people who enjoy it each year.”

CLA president Henry Robinson said: “Many rural businesses found the trading environment challenging as a result of the 2008 financial crisis – shooting provides a shining example of how resilient the rural economy can be.

“More than that, shooting providers spend nearly £250m on protecting the landscape and are integral in ensuring the most effective management of the land.”

Mr Robinson added: “It is important that policymakers consider these facts, which are based on extensive research, when making future policy decisions.

“Shooting delivers economic growth, but its value must not be underestimated if the countryside is also going to flourish economically and environmentally.”

Tim Baynes, director of the Scottish Moorland Group, part of Scottish Land and Estates, said: “Scotland is a special place for all types of shooting sports, most notably red deer stalking and grouse shooting which have shaped large parts of the landscape.

“This new report sets out their important contribution to the rural economy and biodiversity of the UK as a whole.”

For the survey, a total of 16,234 questionnaires were completed, making this the most comprehensive research into the value of shooting ever undertaken in the UK. The data was collected during a 12-month period between August 2012 and July 2013.

It recorded the hundreds of thousands of people who find their recreation and sport in the countryside and on the shooting ranges and clay grounds across the country.

Meanwhile, the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) is running a number of inspiring Young Shooters Days at locations across the country over the next few months.

The Young Shooters Days are made possible through a small trust fund set up in the memory of Norman Clarke, and are specially tailored to suit boys and girls aged 12-15 with a keen interest in developing their knowledge and skills in countryside pursuits.

Places at each event cost £48 each, including lunch, refreshments, all equipment, and professional instruction.

For more information or to book places please contact Lynda Ferguson at lferguson@gwct.org.uk or by phone on 01425 651 013, or book online .