All three of the main Westminster political parties have now signed the Angling Trust’s Angling Manifesto. The document sets out a detailed agenda for the next Parliament to protect and improve angling and fisheries and to acknowledge the economic, environmental and social benefits that the country’s most popular pursuit offers to the British people.
Signed copies of the Manifesto have been received at the Angling Trust offices from Richard Benyon (Conservative), Huw Irranca-Davies (Labour) and Andrew George (Liberal Democrat).
The Angling Trust’s Manifesto for Angling, available in full on the Angling Trust web site, calls on the next Government to promote angling, recognise the rights of anglers and create healthy angling environments.
Richard Benyon said: “The Conservative Party are happy to be signing up to the Angling Trust’s Manifesto for Angling. David Cameron and the Conservative Party are firm supporters of angling and see anglers as being on the front line of the battle to improve the natural environment and our country’s biodiversity. We value our relationship with the Angling Trust and will continue to work closely with them and all representative bodies to improve the quality of our rivers and waterways and encourage more people to go fishing.”
Huw Irranca-Davies said: “I am pleased to confirm that the Labour Party signs up to the Manifesto for Angling, building on the excellent relationship we have enjoyed with the Angling Trust and with recreational anglers across the country, which we know will continue for many years ahead. We value the contribution of the millions of anglers to our society, economy and environment, and the broad principles outlined in your manifesto are a great basis for a continuing and active partnership.”
Andrew George said: “Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats are pleased to be able to support the Angling Trust’s 2010 Manifesto. We recognise angling is a hugely popular pastime which delivers important conservation and economic benefits. We're absolutely committed to working closely with the representative organisations of the sport in order to maximise the benefits of angling.”
Mark Lloyd, Chief Executive of the Angling Trust said: “We are delighted that the Angling Trust has achieved consensus amongst our politicians that our sport is positive and beneficial and that angling – and the environment on which it depends – must be protected and improved. We will of course be holding them to these commitments in the new Parliament.”
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