Written By: Andy Nicholson
On Date: 14/6/2004
The Greens appear to be in a bit of a quandary as to where their policies lay with regard to angling and if they should actively promote the banning of angling. On the 7th of July Angling News ran a press release issued by The Country side Alliance, stating quite clearly that, and I quote “The Green Party has declared itself "opposed to angling as a blood sport" and in favour of promoting "the voluntary cessation of angling through public education" end quote.
On the 10th of July Angling News offices received a phone call from the Scottish Green party as a direct result of reading the Country Side Alliance press release, stating they would like to issue their own press release on the Angling News site, clearly highlighting that they were not opposed to banning angling, Angling News posted on the same day their response
And I quote from their press release “The Section AR412 from the English Green Party manifesto for a sustainable society policy document does not appear in the same form in the Scottish policy reference document (PRD). We are conscious that rod and line fishing is of enormous importance to the Scottish Economy and that essentially it causes no more or less pain to fish than netting them at sea, and we support the fishing industry” end quote.
Angling News would like to point out that the Green Party has but one web site, with all their different Offices listed on that site.
Angling News contacted the English Green Party and made them aware of The Scottish Green Party’s policy on angling which, vastly differed from theirs and gave them the opportunity to officially answer the differences in the party’s policies, to date no official press release has been issued, but e-mail’s were received stating the following.
E-mails from The Green Party.
I suppose it can seem quite confusing - all Greens are part of a global movement with many beliefs in common, but we are just as much a separate party from the Scottish Greens as we are from the Irish Greens, the Northern Irish Greens, or even (for example) the German Green Party. I suppose you might look at it in this way - the SNP and Plaid Cymru both have beliefs in common, and a common goal, but no one would say that they are the same party. In many ways, being separate and distinct parties makes sense -solutions that would suit the England and Wales Green Party might not necessarily suit the Scottish Green Party. However, although sometimes our policies are different, our general philosophical basis is the same, and therefore we are happy to have a link to their website on our website – we also have links to the Australian, American, French, Iraq Green Parties, and more!
As to the England and Wales Green Party policy on angling:
Green Party policy is made democratically by our members. A majority at our conference some years ago expressed the view that angling caused unnecessary suffering to animals. However, we are a party that believes in applying legal sanctions only where an unchallengeable case can be made against a given activity. The party does not believe such a case can be made against angling.
Our policy is therefore to ban the use of live bait and any use of lead weights which may be harmful to wildlife, as we believe this is reasonable. We would not, however, consider it reasonable to ban angling.
The party clearly does not view angling in the same light as blood sports like foxhunting and hare coursing. It is definitely NOT Green Party policy to ban angling, though we would certainly want to ban foxhunting and hare coursing.
It's very important to distinguish between an expression of preference on the one hand, and an expression of political intention on the other. The Green Party respects the right of individuals to decide on this issue for themselves, on a voluntary basis.
I hope this answers your question.
Best wishes,
Grace Gedge
From Spencer Fitz-Gibbon
External Communications Coordinator
Green Party of England & Wales
Further to your conversation with our press officer Grace Gedge:
I'd just like to say that the party's angling policy was made some years ago and, I can say from recent discussions with colleagues, is likely to be reviewed this year.
Our policy is indeed made democratically by members at our spring and autumn conferences. Any Green Party member may attend conference and vote. Any four party members may propose a motion to change policy.
If the policy were to change, it could only be by (a) there being sufficient motivation amongst members to initiate the proposed change and argue the case, and (b) a majority at conference agreeing with the proposed change.
I'll add your email address to our database and let you know if there are any developments we think you might be interested in.
Best wishes
Spencer Fitz-Gibbon.
The angling world is still left in confusion, as one statement from the English Green Party states they are opposed to angling and within a week, they state It is definitely NOT Green Party policy to ban angling, along with them writing “I suppose it can seem quite confusing”
The Scottish Green Party have made it abundantly clear as to their stance, the English Green Party, it is felt by many have to also make it perfectly clear as to how they stand. As at present the angling world is receiving conflicting and contradictory messages from them.
Both English, Welsh and Scottish Green party’s are also stating that their policy is to have the use of lead weights along with Live baiting banned, which is cause for concern and leads all concerned, to believe that The Greens are ill informed, as it is common knowledge that the use of Lead weights and all the restrictions, along with legislation has been in place for many years, and that in certain areas live baiting has been banned.
From many factors within the angling world there is an urgent call to the Green Party, especially the English Greens to make their Position and policy’s abundantly clear with regard to Angling and become better informed as to the social and economic benefits that Angling brings to the Uk and Europe.
Angling News will of course keep you informed as always to any further developments.
Angling News Exclusive. Confusion in the Green Party on Angling Policy