Welsh government under fire for shooting decision

The Welsh government has come under fire from rural groups for withholding economic support to shooting businesses that have suffered during the pandemic.

The Economic Resilience Funding (ERF) is administered by the Business Wales arm of the government. Business Wales said in a letter that to support shooting “could bring the Welsh government into disrepute”. The decision has been roundly condemned.

BASC accused the Welsh government of turning its back on rural Wales and said the decision showed “a complete lack of understanding of the importance of shooting to the Welsh economy, to the environment and to rural communities”.

Rachel Evans of the Countryside Alliance said: “No lawful business could, or should, be considered as bringing the Welsh government into disrepute.”