The Value of Shooting report 2024

A new report underlines the importance of shooting, conservation and the rural vote ahead of the general election.

On 4 June 2024, rural organisations published the latest ‘Value of Shooting’ report, which details the shooting sector's benefits to the UK economy and the conservation of the countryside.

The key findings will be essential in shaping the debate around shooting in the run-up to the general election and beyond. With the gap closing between the Conservatives and Labour in the 100 most rural constituencies, issues that affect the countryside and the rural economy will likely be a key battleground in the election.

Shooting is a key component of the rural economy. It goes hand in hand with the conservation of the countryside, as well as bringing mental and physical health benefits to participants and providing a healthy and sustainable food source.

The new Value of Shooting report was commissioned by 24 rural organisations and carried out by Cognisense, a market research and data analytics firm. The report sets out the following headline figures:

·        Shooting is worth £3.3bn (GVA) to the UK economy annually.

·        The new report has taken a more comprehensive and detailed approach than previous reports, attaching a value to contribution in kind (CiK) and supply chain value, which shows that £9.3bn of broader economic activity is generated for the UK economy.

·        620,000 individuals are actively involved in shooting-related activities.

·        Shooting providers and volunteers carry out £500m worth of conservation work, equivalent to 26,000 full-time jobs and 14m workdays yearly.

·        Habitat management and conservation are carried out on 7.6m hectares due to shooting.

·        Three out of four people who take part in the shooting said that it is important to them and their well-being, with most claiming shooting specifically contributes positively to their physical and mental health.

·        Shooters spend £4.4bn on their UK-based supply chain each year.

SACS contributed to the report and is pleased that it once again highlights the value of shooting to the UK economy. The support shooting provides to rural communities is priceless.

The report will be used by the shooting organisations to emphasise the economic and social aspects of shooting of all types to politicians who may fail to understand its importance. We commend the report.

Attached is a copy of the report. Please read it—it will help you form opinions about why we, as a community, are so strong.