51AVÊÓÆµ

EXCLUSIVE - Sir Alec Shelbrooke: "It is the sense of community that softens the stresses and strains of rural life"

Wetherby and Easingwold MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke writes on how the shooting industry plays an important role to the economy and rural way of life, the countryside's backlash to the proposed shotgun licence merger, and why the Government risks breaking the very spirit that's sustained farming communities for generations

clock • 3 min read
Sir Alec Shelbrooke said: "Setting aside the literal death knell summoned by the family farm tax, the latest assault on traditions, such as trail hunting, and now threats to make it harder to get a shotgun licence could make the quiet determination to simply carry on much more difficult. Before the final horn blows on the last drive of the 2026/27 season, ministers should take stock and abandon their proposals."
Image:

Sir Alec Shelbrooke said: "Setting aside the literal death knell summoned by the family farm tax, the latest assault on traditions, such as trail hunting, and now threats to make it harder to get a shotgun licence could make the quiet determination to simply carry on much more difficult. Before the final horn blows on the last drive of the 2026/27 season, ministers should take stock and abandon their proposals."

The rural way of life is under attack. The forces driving change in our communities are varied. LISTEN NOW: Farming families face higher fixed costs and volatile profit margins in competition...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Politics

Rural Labour MPs ramp up pressure on Gov to level the playing field for British farmers

Rural Labour MPs ramp up pressure on Gov to level the playing field for British farmers

To kickstart its Spring Push campaign on farming profitability, the Labour Rural Research Group wants the Gov to introduce honest labelling on country of origin food, to tackle unfair supermarket practices, and to protect farmers in trade deals from cheap imports

Chris Brayford
clock 05 April 2026 • 5 min read
EXCLUSIVE - Maya Ellis: 'British farmers face an unfair fight. We want to level the playing field for them'

EXCLUSIVE - Maya Ellis: 'British farmers face an unfair fight. We want to level the playing field for them'

Labour Rural Research Group member Maya Ellis writes on the group's Spring Push campaign on farming profitability, which calls for honest labelling on British produced food and stronger protections for farmers in trade deals

Maya Ellis
clock 03 April 2026 • 3 min read
Welsh Election 2026 - Darren Millar: 'Without farmers, there is no food security, no thriving rural economy, and no future'

Welsh Election 2026 - Darren Millar: 'Without farmers, there is no food security, no thriving rural economy, and no future'

Welsh Conservatives leader Darren Millar outlines the party's vision and growth strategy to support farmers, strengthen food security and grow the rural economy

Darren Millar
clock 03 April 2026 • 3 min read