Brecon and Radnorshire MP Chris Davies has blasted a decision to ban pheasant shooting as "hypocritical, inconsistent and ignorant."

Mr Davies was reacting to a decision made by Natural Resources Wales not to renew shooting licences on public land in Wales when they expire in March next year.

The leases relate to Welsh Government Woodland Estate (WGWE) at Maesmawr near Caersws, Bankwood near Llandrindod Wells and Cwmgwnen which stretches from north Powys towards Oswestry.

Environmental groups welcomed the decision but shooting organisations reacted furiously, with one accusing Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn and NRW of "pandering to animal rights extremists".

Today Chris Davies added his voice to those criticising the decision, claiming the decision is an attack on countryside sports.

"The decision to ban pheasant shooting on public land is completely hypocritical, inconsistent and ignorant to the rural way of life," he said.

"Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is just another Labour leaning quango which has made this recommendation, claiming environmental protection, even though they have turned a blind eye to many other environmental issues such as the Barry Incinerator project. They should be listening to the facts and not bowing to pressure from anti shooting lobbying groups.

"The Labour and Liberal coalition in Cardiff Bay do not represent the views of rural Wales, they have starved us of investment whilst South Wales has flourished from major Welsh Government investment. I believe this ban on public land is an indication of where the Welsh Government are heading. What will they do next? Ban shooting on private land? Countryside sports have long been under attack by the Labour Party and now they are targeting law abiding citizens who shoot game.

"Pheasant shooting is a long-established countryside sport and those working and partaking on shoots are rightly worried at this decision by the Welsh Government. Livelihoods are at stake and the Welsh Government seem ignorant to the fact these decisions will have a knock on effect to the rural economy. "

At the announcement of the decision last week, NRW's acting chair Madeleine Havard said the organisation was "confident" that their position reflected their legal requirements.

"In making our final decisions, the Board also accepted the Welsh Government’s position as landowner," she said.

"We have taken the time to review all the information provided to us by a wide a range of stakeholders.

"We are confident that we have a robust position statement that reflects the requirements of the Environment (Wales) Act."