Disabled and elderly anglers' rod licenses

[Greenheart]

Just recieved this from the Countryside Alliance. I'll let you know if he gets a response.....

A fortnight ago, Simon Hart of the Countryside Alliance wrote a letter to Defra Minister Jonathan Shaw regarding the recent price hike in the cost of concessionary rod licenses, meaning that it is even more expensive for disabled and elderly anglers to enjoy their sport. Not only could such a move prevent future anglers from partaking in the sport due to the higher price of a license, it will also have a detrimental affect on those already angling.

In his letter, Simon highlighted the rise in fees for concessionary non-migratory trout and coarse and salmon and sea trout fishing licences by 37 and 35 per cent respectively, which are in stark contrast, the cost of full licences in these categories which has risen by only 2 per cent. Taking a longer perspective, licences for non-migratory trout and coarse and salmon and sea trout fishing have, since 1997, increased by 109 and 64 per cent respectively. Such increases not only fly in the face of the Environment Agency's strategy to get "more people, from more backgrounds, fishing more often" but threaten to undermine the Government's statement in its Charter for Angling that "Angling is a sport, which can claim to be truly classless and meritocratic, and is especially popular with disabled people."

He concluded by asking Mr Shaw to give serious consideration to freezing concessionary licence fees for the next five years. Such a move would not only provide reassurance to those who have been affected by this year's price increases but it would also help to ensure that angling remains affordable and accessible to those who often gain the most from this sport; a priority which I believe both the Government and the Countryside Alliance share.