In a good example of consumer groups and industry working in close harmony a boating alliance partnership was agreed last week at a meeting of induatry and user groups involved in the UK boating industry.

Founding member organisations include the Amateur Rowing Association, British Canoe Union, British Marine Industries Federation, British Sub-Aqua Club, British Water Ski, the Inland Waterways Association, National Federation of Sea Anglers and the Royal Yachting Association.

Commenting on the new venture Edmund Whelan the RYA's Head of Legal and Government Affairs said "The purpose of the newly formed Boating Alliance is to heighten public and political awareness of the economic and social importance of boating, to encourage participation and new facilities and to discourage unnecessary regulation of the sport".

Following the success of the Boating Alliance's first venture into exhibiting at last year's Labour Party Conference, it is now proposed to exhibit at both the Labour and Conservative party conference this year with the intention of having some kind of presence at the Liberal Democrat party conference.

The Alliance will provide a forum in which all these important national groups can take a co-ordinated and united approach to strategic issues of major importance to the boating industry and boat users Commented Howard Pridding, Executive Director of the BMIF.