logo
#

Latest news with #BASC

Shotgun owners forced to wait a year for new licences
Shotgun owners forced to wait a year for new licences

Telegraph

time22-07-2025

  • Telegraph

Shotgun owners forced to wait a year for new licences

Shotgun owners face a 'postcode lottery' when applying for firearms certificates, with some police forces taking over a year to process new applications, a report has warned. Data compiled by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) shows some forces issue new certificates in less than six months, with others leaving owners in limbo as they take more than a year. BASC found significant disparities in the efficiency and resourcing at licencing units, with some accused of offering a 'woeful' standard of service. Roger Seddon, the shooting spokesman at the Countryside Alliance, said: 'Firearms licencing in England and Wales is a postcode lottery as it stands – some forces provide a woeful service, for which licence holders must pay dearly. 'We need root and branch reform of the system – and the Countryside Alliance are calling for the creation of a single, centralised licencing body, akin to the DVLA, to deliver consistent, efficient, effective, and most importantly safe licencing for gun owners and for the public.'

Scottish shooting generates more than £246 million, reports shows
Scottish shooting generates more than £246 million, reports shows

Scotsman

time14-07-2025

  • Business
  • Scotsman

Scottish shooting generates more than £246 million, reports shows

Scotland's shooting sector delivers more than £246 million in annual natural capital benefits, according to a new report launched by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) at the Scottish Game Fair earlier this month. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The Natural Capital Benefits of Shooting report assesses the environmental and public goods generated through land management associated with shooting activities. From carbon storage and habitat creation to biodiversity improvements and public access, the findings highlight the sector's vital role in supporting Scotland's natural environment. Speaking at the launch reception, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity Jim Fairlie MSP praised the shooting community's contribution to Scotland's natural capital. He acknowledged the importance of the sector's work in helping to deliver environmental outcomes aligned with the country's sustainability goals. Scotland-specific highlights include: Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad BASC Scotland director Peter Clark with Jim Fairlie MSP Carbon sequestration: £120.5 million through woodland, peatland and habitat management Public health benefits: £4.6 million via improved mental and physical wellbeing and air quality Recreational value: £92.4 million from participation in shooting and countryside access Food, farming and forestry: £29.3 million through game meat, woodland productivity and crop protection Jim Fairlie MSP told attendees: 'When it comes to natural capital, and investment in restoring and protecting Scotland's natural environment, it is essential that we are able to tackle the nature and climate emergencies at pace and the scale required. If we don't do that then we're going to fall behind. 'The Scottish Government is investing significantly in nature-based solutions and that includes £250 million for a 10-year peatland restoration programme, major funding for woodland creation and strong support through the Agriculture Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB) to help us meet our farming and our climate ambitions.' He also underscored the importance of responsible private investment: 'That investment must support nature, climate action and our communities. That's why we've developed the Scottish Natural Capital Market Framework; it sets out clear principles for responsible investment. It ensures investment is high integrity, guards against greenwashing and recognises the intrinsic value of our natural assets.' On BASC's findings, the Minister added: 'This is an important piece of work that shows that shooting contributes more than £246 million in natural capital benefits to the people of Scotland every year.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad BASC Scotland director Peter Clark said: 'The report highlights the measurable environmental returns delivered by shooting-related land management. From carbon capture to healthy rural communities, this is proof that our members are part of the solution to Scotland's nature and climate goals.

Game shooting on Scottish estates ‘saves NHS millions'
Game shooting on Scottish estates ‘saves NHS millions'

Telegraph

time13-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Telegraph

Game shooting on Scottish estates ‘saves NHS millions'

Game shooting on Scotland's estates is 'saving the NHS millions of pounds', a Scottish Government-sanctioned report claims. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has found that Scotland's shooting sector delivers more than £246 million in benefits to the Scottish economy. That includes a saving of £4.6 million in public health for the NHS and local authorities in improved mental and physical wellbeing and air quality, the organisation believes. Peter Clark, BASC Scotland director, said shooting-related land management delivers 'measurable environmental returns' by helping ensure 'healthy rural communities'. Mr Clark added: 'The report reinforces the shooting community 's essential role in habitat conservation, environmental protection and the responsible care and management of Scotland's natural environment, directly complementing the Scottish Government's climate and nature restoration priorities.' The report considers the environmental and public goods generated through land management for shooting at Scotland's popular hunting estates. Its findings show woodland and peatland management generates £120.5 million in carbon sequestration; £92.4 million in recreational access to the countryside; and £29.3 million through game meat and crop protection. Jim Fairlie, Scotland's minister for agriculture and connectivity, attended the launch of the report. He said: 'This is an important piece of work that shows that shooting contributes more than £246 million in natural capital benefits to the people of Scotland every year.' The MSP also told attendees: 'When it comes to natural capital, and investment in restoring and protecting Scotland's natural environment, it is essential that we are able to tackle the nature and climate emergencies at pace and the scale required. If we don't do that, then we're going to fall behind.' Mr Fairlie also highlighted the importance of responsible private investment. He said: 'That investment must support nature, climate action and our communities. That's why we've developed the Scottish Natural Capital Market Framework; it sets out clear principles for responsible investment. 'It ensures investment is high integrity, guards against greenwashing and recognises the intrinsic value of our natural assets.' However, the Nationalist administration has come under fire from its former coalition partners the Scottish Greens. Ross Greer, the Scottish Greens finance spokesman, said: 'The barbaric murder of helpless animals by the ultra-rich isn't something the Scottish Government should be celebrating. It's cruel, outdated and should be banned. 'Shooting estates take up an unbelievable amount of Scotland's rural land. They are mostly owned by a motley collection of aristocrats, billionaires, tax avoiders and Tory MSPs. 'Regardless of the slick propaganda their lobbyists produce, the real evidence shows that these estates are devastating for the environment and for Scotland's iconic native species, like mountain hares and birds of prey.' Mr Greer went on to say that rural estates 'take advantage' of tax breaks designed for small businesses, taking money from the public purse. He added: 'The public are being forced to subsidise the ultra-wealthy's desire to kill animals for fun, all while SNP ministers sadly cheer them on. 'Small-scale farmers and crofters play an invaluable role in our country's food production and in their local communities, we must ensure that they are properly supported to create sustainable businesses and jobs, but taxpayer funding is instead going to these super-rich playgrounds. 'Vital Scotland's land delivers' Scottish Labour said the work highlighted in the BASC report was to be 'welcomed'. Rhoda Grant, the party's rural affairs spokesman, said: 'It is vital that Scotland's land is used in a way that delivers for our country. 'Game sports have long played a role in rural Scotland, and the work being done to improve biodiversity and help meet our climate goals is to be welcomed. 'It is important that all shooting is appropriately licensed and managed in a sustainable way that delivers real benefits to rural communities and the country as a whole.'

New plan hopes to turn children in Jersey away from crime
New plan hopes to turn children in Jersey away from crime

BBC News

time30-06-2025

  • Politics
  • BBC News

New plan hopes to turn children in Jersey away from crime

A plan designed to help children who have come into contact with the youth justice system has been made by the Government of Youth Justice Roadmap aims to guide services and professionals who work with children to help them lead safe lives. The government said services and the community across Jersey, including the police, Royal and Youth Courts and Jersey Youth Service will work to ensure children and families receive minister for justice and home affairs, Connétable Richard Vibert said: "A child diverted from crime is not just a reduction in offending, it is a family strengthened, a victim restored, and a safer island." He added: "This is about putting children's rights at the centre of how we build a safer, more supportive Jersey. "It's not just about reducing crime – it's about creating opportunities, restoring trust, and making sure every child has the chance to succeed, no matter what has happened in their past."The roadmap is part of the Building A Safer Community (BASC) Framework, which aims to bring together government departments, the emergency services, courts, community services, charities and families to work in partnership to prevent crime, respond and support young people.

India looks east to this new ally to ease China's grip on EV batteries
India looks east to this new ally to ease China's grip on EV batteries

Mint

time30-06-2025

  • Business
  • Mint

India looks east to this new ally to ease China's grip on EV batteries

With a globally dominant China tightening controls on exports of some critical minerals used in manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs), Indian and Japanese companies are huddling in Delhi this week to figure a way out of the supply-chain logjam, according to two people aware of the matter. More than a dozen major Japanese players from the EV battery and critical mineral supply chain, including Panasonic, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Sumitomo Metals and Mining, Asahi Kasei and Nichia, among others, are currently in India to explore partnerships with Indian companies. All these companies are part of Japan's industry body, Battery Association of Supply Chain (BASC). From the Indian side, businesses 'like Amara Raja and Reliance are participating in discussions with the Japanese industry", one of the persons mentioned above said on condition of anonymity. The talks are expected to focus on developing a diversified supply chain for lithium-ion batteries used in EVs and energy storage systems, as well as for critical minerals like lithium and graphite, with discussions likely to explore technological collaboration and joint R&D to counter China's dominance across these markets. Mintcould not independently verify the full list of Japanese and Indian companies who will be part of discussions. Queries sent to the Japanese and Indian firms remained unanswered till press time. For Indian companies, the need to collaborate with other countries has become important as they struggle to source rare earth magnets from China, which controls 90% of their global supply and imposed restrictions on their exports this April. Alongside, several estimates peg China's global market share in lithium battery production at around 80%, while Japan is estimated to have about 10% share. Experts, though, are sceptical. Srihari Mulgund, partner at consultancy EY-Parthenon, said Indian players have to look for technology transfer and invest jointly in efforts to localise the battery technology. But partnerships with Japanese companies can only offer limited benefits, he argued. 'Collaborations with Japanese players in the EV battery and critical mineral chain offer limited scope because of the fact that China controls most of the value chain," Mulgund said. 'Mining, refining, and processing are dominated by China. Japanese players can help with battery material and technology, but their work has been more substantial on the hybrid front." In 2021, around 55 companies in Japan came together to form the BASC to strengthen the domestic industry's competitiveness in the battery supply chain. While the total number of members in the grouping isn't available, some publicly reported numbers keep it around 150 companies. Other major names include Nissan Motor Co and Toyotsu Lithium Corporation. The background Currently, Indian EV companies import more than three-fourths of their batteries from China, specifically from firms such as BYD, CATL, and EVE. Other countries that supply batteries include South Korea and Japan. While Indian companies are building their own battery factories that are likely to go live between this fiscal and FY27, they are worried about the ability to match prices of cheaper Chinese batteries as domestic players are currently fully reliant on imports of key raw material lithium. 'I think everybody would have observed that the pricing coming out of China right now is quite aggressive," Vikramadithya Gourineni, executive director for new energy business at Amara Raja Energy, told analysts in an earnings call on 30 May. 'The cell pricing, the energy storage system (ESS) pricing. So definitely, that's been on a downward trend." According to an industry executive working on EV cells, India-made batteries from domestic companies such as Amara Raja, Exide Industries, and Ola Electricare expected to be 20-30% costlier than Chinese counterparts who don't have to rely significantly on imports for sourcing key raw materials. The country's government has set a target of achieving 100GWh of lithium-ion battery capacity that can feed the surge in EV sales, which touched nearly 2 million in 2024, growing at 27% over 2023, data from Vahan portal showed. In 2021, the government announced a ₹18,100-crore production linked incentive (PLI) scheme for building battery capacity. Ola Electric, Reliance Industries and Rajesh Exports are among the firms that received a nod from the government to build the gigafactories. However, none of them has so far managed to achieve the required milestones under the scheme and are behind their schedule of commercial production. They face a possible fine from the government but the companies have cited issues with sourcing raw materials and required technology to progress at the previously stated pace. Other firms like Amara Raja, Exide Industries, and Tata Group's Agratas are also building their own lithium-ion plants. Sajjan Jindal's JSW Group, too, had previously expressed interest in making an EV battery plant.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store