Glorious 12th dawns with Labour calling for ‘simulated shooting’ to replace grouse shoots The sport has come under mounting criticism from animal welfare campaigners and green groups

Labour is calling for a review into the environmental impacts of “driven” grouse shooting and has called for the game hunting to be replaced with “simulated shooting” or other wildlife tourism.

Timed to coincide with the Glorious Twelfth, which marks the beginning of the four month grouse shooting season, Shadow Environment Secretary Sue Hayman warned the practice causes “substantial damage” to the countryside.

The sport, which takes place across 550,000 acres of Scottish moors every year, has come under mounting criticism from animal welfare campaigners and green groups who want an end to the practice.

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Environmental impact

It comes as an alliance of Scottish gamekeepers and shooting groups called for greater recognition of the grouse hunting season and the economic benefits its brings to local communities.

But Labour has called on the Government to bring in an immediate review into the sport, which it says can destroy vast swathes of plant life and animal habitats.

According to the party, the land is dried out and drained ahead of the shooting season, which can kill other animals, while it dries out the peat moors, which play their part in capturing carbon dioxide.

It also claims that hen harriers, which can feed on grouse, and mountain hares are illegally culled in preparation for the shooting season.

Ms Haymen said: “For too long the Tories have bent the knee to land owners and it’s our environment and our people who pay the price.”

Country sports business

But in a joint statement, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Scottish Land & Estates and the Scottish Association for Country Sports said the social, economic and environmental contribution of moorland management should be better appreciated.

The group said this season has been hit by anti-grouse moor shooting campaigners more than any other, but warned the country sports tourism industry, which grouse shooting is part of, is worth £155million per annum to the Scottish economy.

“Despite the often feverish debate around grouse shooting, there is a need for a cool examination of the facts. Rural communities face a multitude of challenges and the impact of turning the screw on grouse moors should not be underestimated,” the statement said.

Adrian Blackmore, Director Shooting at the Countryside Alliance said : ‘Those with any knowledge of grouse shooting and its associated management will know that some of the claims being made by labour are complete nonsense, and if an independent review into grouse shooting would help increase Labour’s understanding of its considerable environmental, economic and social benefits, then it should be welcomed’.