JEREMY Corbyn could ban grouse shooting if he comes to power as Labour declares a fresh war on toffs.
As the four-month grouse shooting season kicks off today, the party is demanding an “urgent review” into the practice.
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Labour’s shadow environment secretary Sue Hayman said the practice is bad for the environment and cruel to animals.
She wants landowners should look at using their grounds for clay pigeon shooting instead.
Ms Hayman: “The costs of grouse shooting on our environment and wildlife needs to be to properly weighed up against the benefit of land owners profiting from shooting parties.
“For too long the Tories have bent the knee to land owners and it’s our environment and our people who pay the price.
“There are viable alternatives to grouse shooting such as simulated shooting and wildlife tourism. The time has come for a proper review into the practice.”
Labour says plants and animals are killed to dry out land for the shooting season – damaging the environment.
The party has hammered the Tories on their support for fox hunting in the past, and the announcement will be seen as a bid to make grouse shooting similarly toxic for the party.
Adrian Blackmore, Director of Shooting at the Countryside Alliance, hit back at Labour.
He 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.
“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.”
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