By Steffan Messenger

Copyright bbc

Helen and Will Jones rear pheasants and run shoots from their farm near Hirnant, Powys, and worry the proposals would mark the start of a clampdown on shooting.

The couple said they ploughed a third of their profits each year back into nature conservation work.

“We’re very passionate about it and the wildlife that’s returned here since we started running the shoot is quite incredible,” Mr Jones added.

“There are hedgehogs everywhere, the wild bird population is great and we’ve gone from no hares at all to over 70 resident on this ground – all done by basic management, all paid for by the shoot.”

The farm has strict biosecurity measures in place to reduce the risk of avian flu, Ms Jones added, as “no-one wants that near their business as it could completely wipe you out”.

Restrictions on shoots could have a big impact in rural parts of Wales, she warned.

“Without the shooting community, the winter would be very bleak here – the local economy benefits from it in so many different ways.”