The British Game Alliance (BGA) has been praised for promoting ethically sourced British game and for embracing self-regulation.
Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has welcomed the BGA and thanked the organisation for the “excellent job they are doing”.
For the first time, game shooting is operating with a credible assurance scheme in place delivered by the BGA and audited by Acoura, who are responsible for well-known schemes such as RSPCA Assured and Red Tractor.
Growing popularity
According to the BGA, game shooting has become a “rural success” story in recent years, with the positive effects felt by the local economy.
“More people going shooting means more money for rural economies and increased employment, as well as more money for conserving hedgerows, woodlands and moorlands,” said the BGA.
However, growth brings challenges, and as the industry expands, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that the highest standards of animal welfare and environmental stewardship are being adhered to.
BGA officials are encouraging the industry to embrace self-regulation.
Hundreds of shoots have already signed up for the initiative, making this shooting season the first ever in which game shooting is subject to assurance.
This shooting season every gun needs to be asking every shoot they visit: “Have you joined the BGA yet?”
Protect and preserve
Secretary Gove has not let this historic moment pass without due credit.
“Thoughtful management of game and the habitats it thrives in is crucial to our mission to protect, preserve and enhance our natural environment for future generations,” noted the secretary.
“The British Game Alliance does an excellent job in promoting ethically sourced British game and I would like to thank them for the work they do,” he added.
As game shooting has grown in popularity, so has the scrutiny under which shooting operates.
According to BGA Managing Director Tom Adams, “we should welcome that scrutiny and hold ourselves to the highest standards of shoot management.
We also need to be aware that some campaigners use this scrutiny to find the rare examples of bad practice to attack all shooting.
It is vital that every game shoot signs up to the BGA, so we can drive up standards everywhere and protect our shooting for future generations,” said Adams.
Monday, August 13, will mark the first day of a “shooting season like no other”.
