THE glorious 12th arrived and the sport of bird shooting created a great deal of concern with the foot and mouth virus still with us. Yet shooting contributes to central and local government revenue through a number of different channels, not least VAT, which at 17.5pc is undoubtedly the single most important source of revenue to central government generated by all country sports.

What it contributes to the local economy is far greater than realised, income for local people as beaters, hotels and shops benefit from shooters, then there's the game dealer, from him, hotels, butchers, restaurants, it goes on and on.

And only 2pc (approx) of Britain's 22 million hectares of countryside is under the protection of national reserves (funded by the government).

Approximately 88pc is under the control of farmers and other landowners with more than half being managed for shooting.

Thus voluntary conservation by those interested in the shoot is vital to the survival of our countryside.

Statutory conservation in the absence of country sports would cost you, the taxpayer, millions of pounds.

Shooting is a sustainable activity. And the countryside and its wildlife are improved through shooting at no cost to the taxpayer, who can have enjoyed it. Without shooting the countryside would be a poorer place to all living things.

The shoot rely on their quarry and in turn the quarry depend on specific habitats which are supplied by the landowner, through a fully comprehensive management structure. A well-kept habitat is maintained for the quarry and many other plants, animals and insects, which might never have a chance.

The grouse and many species owe their existence to the management of the heather moorland.

The moorland owners employ shoot managers to manage the land. Conservation management is a costly business, the government relies heavily on individuals to maintain our countryside, which we all should respect and realise that the countryside is as it is because of the private landowners.

Good conservation is not just an excuse for shooting, one simply cannot exist without the other - Anon.

Updated: 10:19 Thursday, September 20, 2001