Cross Party Group on Shooting and Conservation

Tuesday 24^th February 2026 at 12 midday

Dining Room one, 1^st Floor, Ty Hywel, Cardiff Bay.

1. Welcome and apologies.

The Chair James MS welcomed members and stakeholders to the meeting and thanked all for attending and accepted the apologies.

Present: James Evans MS, Peter Fox MS, Llyr Gruffydd MS, James Garside (James Evans Office), David Boden (BASC), Steve Griffiths (BASC), Victoria Bond (CLA), David Pooler (NGO), Tim Weston (NGO), Rachel Evans (CA), Sue Evans (GWCT), Elianne Heckley (Confor), Gemma Haines (FUW), Spike Butcher (A2S), Dominic Boulton (GFA)

Apologies:Joel James MS, Sam Kurtz MS, Russell George MS, Amanda Harris-Lea (Foxy Pheasant)

2. AGM.

The AGM took place during the meeting with James Evans MS Reform UK getting nominated as chair, this was supported by Llyr Gruffydd MS- Plaid Cymru and Peter Fox MS – Welsh Conservative.

James Evans MS- Reform UK nominated BASC to continue as secretariats for the group and this was supported by Peter Fox MS and Llyr Gruffydd MS.

3. Review of draft inquiry report into The Value of Shooting and Practical Conservation to Wales.

The chair led the session by reading through and discussing the recommendations within the report with members and organisations present.

The order of the report was amended and agreed.

Amendments were discussed and changes made in the recommendation sections below.

Biodiversity

Health and Wellbeing

Tourism

Employment

Next stage: The report will be amended and confirmed, developed into a formal document. The chair will then take this opportunity to share it with the other political parties to see if they will sign up and support the recommendations listed in the report. The chair will then share with the current Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Climate Change Huw Irranca-Davies MS. If time permits James will then try to schedule a 15-minute debate in the chamber to discuss the work from the CPG in particular the report.

James and Llyr advised the group to share the report with Senedd candidates and would support the printing of 500 reports. A PDF version of the report will also be available.

4. AOB

David Pooler (NGO) raised would this be the right group moving forward to raise Wildfires in. James stated it would be more suitable to raise the issue to the climate change committee.

James took a moment to thank all the members for their support with the Cross-Party Group over the past 5 years and encouraged us to keep the group going moving forward. James heart felt thanks was supported by Llyr Gryffydd MS and Peter Fox MS.

Steve Griffiths (BASC) also thanked James, Llyr and all the Members of the Senedd that has supported the group over the 5 years and wished them all the best for the upcoming election in May on behalf of all of the organisational members present.

5. Date of next meeting

To be confirmed, after Senedd Election on the 7^th May 2026.