The Coming UK Pheasant Season – What We Need To Know

The pheasant season is just around the corner, and with it comes a flurry of activity. In this week’s podcast and blog post, we chat with Louisa Clutterbuck from the British Game Assurance to look at some of the critical issues affecting the supply and demand for pheasants this year and how communication is essential throughout the shooting industry.

This Weeks Show Notes:

How This Season Is Being Affected By Lack Of Birds

This year, the avian flu outbreak in France has reduced the number of game bird eggs and poults exported to the UK. The French authorities have said that before eggs can be exported to a non-EU country again, there will need to be a 90-day surveillance period. This means that eggs from France will not be able to be imported to the UK in time for this season.

This has meant that shooting estates have had to look for alternative sources of game, which has put pressure on the already stretched resources of the game industry.

It is also important to remember that although the pheasant season may be reduced this year, there is still consumer demand for game birds. Therefore, even in a reduced season, it is important to keep marketing game birds to consumers. One way of doing this is through the Eat Wild campaign, which promotes the consumption of wild game meat.

Another way of ensuring a successful season is by ensuring that shoots involved in the industry are members of the British Game Assurance. The BGA is a self-regulatory body that sets standards for the game industry.

The Eat Wild Consumer Campaign

We must keep marketing game meat even during reduced seasons like the one we are currently experiencing. The Eat Wild – consumer campaign to eat game meat can help us in several ways.

First, it helps to educate people about the benefits of game meat. Wild game is a healthy, sustainable, and ethical source of protein.

Second, the Eat Wild campaign can help increase game meat demand. This is important because even though the pheasant season may be reduced this year, there is still a demand for game birds.

Lastly, the Eat Wild campaign helps to support British gamekeepers and game farmers. By promoting the consumption of game meat, we are helping sustain the industry and the livelihoods of those working in it.

How Gamekeepers support natural habitats

Gamekeepers play an essential role in supporting natural habitats. By managing and protecting game populations, gamekeepers help ensure that ecosystems remain healthy and diverse.

In addition, gamekeepers often create and maintain habitat features that benefit other wildlife. By supporting natural habitats in these ways, gamekeepers help ensure that the world around us is a little bit greener and more beautiful.

Many Gamekeepers have lost their jobs this year, with estates deciding not to open. So we must check on those we know to see if there’s any way we can help. The Gamekeepers Welfare Trust exists to support gamekeepers, stalkers and ghillies, and their dependents past and present.

Why should the shooting industry sign up for self-regulation with the British Game Assurance?

The shooting industry should sign up for self-regulation for several reasons. First and foremost, it would help to improve the industry’s image. Second, self-regulation would show the public that the industry is serious about safety and is willing to take responsibility for its products.

In addition, self-regulation would help create a level playing field for all businesses in the industry. It would also help ensure that only products that meet high standards are sold to consumers.

Finally, self-regulation would help to protect the industry from government intervention. By demonstrating a commitment to safety and responsibility, the industry would be in a better position to ward off any future attempts at regulation.

The British Game Assurance

The British Game Assurance is a self-regulatory body that sets standards for the game industry. The BGA is committed to promoting best practices within the industry and ensuring that only products of the highest quality are sold to consumers. The BGA also works to protect the industry from government intervention.

To become a member of the BGA, shoots must meet specific standards. These standards are designed to ensure that only products of the highest quality are sold to consumers.

External Links

www.Britishgameassurance.co.uk

www.eatwild.co

FB: britishgameassurance / letseatwild

Insta: britishgameassurance / letseatwild

Twitter: britishgame / letseatwild

About Our Guest Louisa Clutterbuck, British Game Assurance

Louisa joined the BGA in the early stages and brings with her a wealth of administration, marketing and business skills. Having grown up in the heart of the Herefordshire countryside, she is passionate that country pursuits incorporate the latest developments in their field to create a sustainable future for all. A passion for food ignited by a Leiths cooking course, she enjoys creating new game recipes to share with friends. Louisa is excited to be part of a cause she believes so strongly in.

You may also like to read: How To Limit Food Waste & Improve Sustainable Pheasant Consumption

• Avian Flu
• British Game Assurance