Newsletter: May 2019

The BGA submitted its evidence to DEFRA on behalf of all our members in relation to the General Licence Review, focusing on the supply of pigeons through processing businesses and the jobs that rely heavily on it. We clearly stated we are not a lobbyist organisation but as a game marketing board, it was our duty to make DEFRA aware of the implications of their actions. Please read our submission here. The BGA is not another shooting organisation, it is a game marketing board and quality assurance scheme. It Is supported by all the shooting organisations and in cases funded by them, as they see they can use the BGA and its assurance scheme as a vehicle to defend shooting through accountability. We have conducted over one hundred and fifty shoot audits to date, providing a lot of positive feedback from our members. However, ninety percent of shoots have had minor non-compliances which would cause them “to fail” the audit. Shoots have thirty days to correct these non-compliances and show the assessors proof of this, of which all bar two shoots have managed to comply with. These two were removed from the scheme and relevant industry bodies informed. We have over two hundred and fifty shoot audits booked for this summer where birds will be on the ground and our shoot standards more relevant, from antibiotic testing to environmental impact and animal welfare. I would like to stress that the audits are to help shoots where necessary and provide assistance through Acoura.

The BGA’s sales team has been working to develop new markets for assured game with very positive success. Important meetings involving significant volumes of game for the coming season are progressing well following on from our trip to Hong Kong, as seen below, and in domestic markets. These will be announced in full once purchase orders have been signed. The one positive message we are encountering time and time again from larger food companies is that they haven’t done much with game due to the lack of assurance and traceability, something the BGA has tackled head-on, opening the door to these exciting new opportunities off the back of our assurance scheme. 

The voluntary 50p levy has had a fantastic take up from those who applied it to their deposit invoices, with many guns congratulating their shoots for their pro-active approach to dealing with the issues we face and were only too happy to contribute. More information on the 50p levy in the article below.

The BGA is hosting a number of talks across the country in the coming weeks, where hopefully we can answer any questions or concerns you may have. If you would like to attend, then please let us know by RSVP, the link to the invites are here. 

I hope you’re enjoying the sunny weather.

Kind regards,

Tom