BASC has presented the findings of the UK’s Value of Shooting report to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) in Brussels, marking a significant step in raising awareness of the sector’s economic and environmental contribution on the international stage.
The presentation, held on 1 October, formed part of the launch of a wider study coordinated by the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE). The event emphasised the importance of grounding European policy discussions, which can influence UK legislation, in robust, evidence-based data.
BASC chief executive Ian Bell attended the meeting, presenting key findings from the UK report, which was carried out by Cognisense. The research shows that shooting contributes £3.3 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK economy each year, supports around 146,700 jobs, and generates £9.3 billion in wider economic activity.
The report also highlighted the considerable conservation impact of shooting. BASC informed MEPs that shooting providers and volunteers collectively deliver habitat management and conservation work valued at approximately £500 million annually, representing some 14 million workdays. In total, shooting-related conservation takes place across 7.6 million hectares of land.
Underscoring the importance of sharing these findings with European policymakers, Ian Bell said: “Shooting enriches nature, boosts wellbeing, and supports the rural economy. In the UK alone, shooting contributes £3.3 billion GVA annually, manages over 7.6 million hectares for wildlife, and supports 146,700 jobs. Beyond the economic impact, shooting delivers friendship, a sense of purpose, and provides healthy wild game for the table, it is clearly of immense value to both people and nature.”
The UK’s data presentation was part of a wider discussion of a new European-level report commissioned by FACE, which reveals that hunting, shooting, and associated industries collectively generate around €180 billion every year and sustain more than 1.1 million jobs across 30 European countries.
Hosted by MEP Isabel Benjumea, the meeting concluded with a call for greater recognition from European policymakers of the vital role shooting and hunting play in supporting rural economies, biodiversity, and community wellbeing across the continent.