Tasmania announces a study into hunting and shooting.
The Hon. Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water has announced that the Tasmanian Government will invest $50,000 for a study into hunting and sports shooting.
In a media release issued by his office, Minister Barnett advises that the Tasmanian Liberal Government recognises that recreational hunting and sporting shooting is an important tradition for many Tasmanians and that it also provides significant benefits to landholders in assisting with management of browsing wildlife as well as to regional economies through travel and purchase of good and services.
In recognition of this, the Tasmanian Government has committed $50,000 towards a study into the economic and social value of recreational hunting and sporting shooting to Tasmania. The study will assess the contribution that thousands of Tasmanians, hunting and shooting clubs, support organisations, retailers and suppliers make to regional Tasmania.
An advisory group of key stakeholders including the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia, Australian Deer Association and the Tasmanian Deer Advisory Council is being formed to help scope the project with findings to help inform future policy and management directions.
SIFA commends the Minister and the Tasmanian Government for taking this approach, seeking to quantify the economic and social value of the shooting and hunting industries to Tasmania. Previous reports commissioned by the Federal, and various State Governments have all highlighted additional positive social and well-being impacts that shooting and hunting has for those who active members of our communities.