🇬🇧 FACE member – the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) – has presented the Value of Shooting report at the European Parliament, highlighting the remarkable economic, environmental, and social contribution of shooting in the UK and across Europe. 🎯

The Value of Shooting is the most comprehensive study ever conducted on shooting’s impact in the UK. Produced by 24 partner organisations, it demonstrates how shooting supports jobs, conservation, and rural economies, while also providing healthy food, recreation, and community wellbeing.

This presentation took place during the launch of the University of Urbino’s landmark European study, coordinated by FACE, showing that hunting, shooting, and related industries generate €180 billion annually and support over 1.1 million jobs across 30 European countries, including the UK.

🔹 In the UK alone:
• Shooting contributes £3.3 billion (€3.8 billion) in GVA annually
• Supports 146,700 jobs
• Manages 7.6 million hectares for wildlife and conservation
• Engages 620,000 individuals in shooting-related activities
• Generates £9.3 billion (€10.8 billion) of wider economic activity
• Delivers £500 million (€580 million) worth of conservation work — equal to 26,000 full-time jobs

🗣️ As BASC Chief Executive Ian Bell noted: “Shooting enriches nature, boosts wellbeing, and supports the rural economy. Beyond the numbers, it provides friendship, purpose, and healthy wild game for the table — it is clearly of immense value to both people and nature.”

At the event, MEP Isabel Benjumea emphasised that “hunting, sports shooting and their related sectors demonstrate strong benefits to society, which must be safeguarded, supported and actively promoted.”

Together, these studies show what Europe’s hunters and shooters have long known — sustainable use of wildlife is not only part of our heritage, it’s a vital part of our future. 🌿