BASC response to threatened ban on driven grouse shooting

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.”

Find out more about sustainable grouse shooting and moorland management here.