British Game Alliance end of season highlights report

The 2019-20 shooting season brought some exciting developments for the game meat industry through the BGA’s continued efforts to secure new, strong markets for assured game meat. We take a look at some key achievements, expansion of the assurance scheme and changes for the organisation approaching the next season.

This season brought some big wins for BGA Assured game meat including securing a partnership with one of the UK’s largest food manufacturers, Samworth Brothers, who have an annual turnover of over £1 billion. Samworth believe there is multi-million pound-a-year opportunity for their new game range across the foodservice sector, meaning BGA shoots will have a stronger market for their game next season. A range of new commercial dishes have been created with Samworth Brothers’ chefs, including a game pie, a game pork pie, and pheasant and fennel sausage roll - developed using BGA-assured meat. These products will be available to consumers to buy at stadiums around the UK, at large corporations and in public service sectors.

 

MORE: BGA secures Samworth Brothers deal

 

The BGA also landed its first major overseas trade agreement in August for 250,000 birds to be exported for use in retail and high end restaurants in Hong Kong and Macau this season.

 

 

MORE: BGA secures new markets for game in Asia

December brought the launch of the BGA Game Farm Audit scheme, which has been backed by the Game Farmer’s Association (GFA), the British Veterinary Poultry Association (BVPA) and the UK’s shooting organisations. Following the pilot scheme conducted in summer 2019 and feedback from the relevant organisations, the BGA has worked in conjunction with the Game Farmer’s Association (GFA), Lloyd’s Register, DEFRA and leading game bird veterinary specialists to develop the new audit and Game Farm Standards. The BGA has added specific recommendations to update the code to reflect the current issues that the industry faces, including stocking densities and Mycoplasma Testing.

 

MORE: From egg to plate: BGA game farm audit and mycoplasma testing

 

The audit investigates all aspects of game farming and is divided into three sections: laying, hatching and rearing. This will demonstrate to retailers and food businesses that BGA assured game is sourced from enterprises that follow best practice and achieve the highest welfare standards throughout the supply chain. The annual audits will be operated independently by Lloyd’s Register, who also audit the BGA member shoots, visiting participating game farms including hatcheries and laying flocks from January 2020. The audit process demonstrates to the public, opponents and the wider sector that the industry is accountable, vigilant and adhering to the code of practice that has been recommended by DEFRA – which until now, has been hard to prove with the absence of an approved audit process in place.

Great British Game Week took place from 25th November – 1st December 2019 to champion game for its culinary versatility, health benefits and sustainable credentials. The BGA’s press activity reached millions of people over the course of game week, which is fantastic, and we continue to reach the British public through radio, print, social media and TV. Coverage highlights from the week included, The Telegraph, HELLO!, Foodism, Evening Standard, Esquire, Great British Food Magazine to promote game to the wider public.

 

 

MORE: Great British Game Week

 

The BGA team hit the streets of Bristol, serving over 4,000 portions of their commercial game products throughout the day, while speaking to members of the public who have never tried game before, engaging with social influencers and talking to local chefs and restaurants who all came and tried the products. The BGA also secured an exciting collaboration with gourmet kebab restaurant: Le Bab Soho as well as well-known eateries such as Ottolenghi’s Fitzrovia restaurant ROVI, Holborn Dining Room and The Dundas Arms.

Managing Director, Tom Adams, will be leaving the BGA at the end of March 2020 after what will have been two and a half years at the helm. Tom founded the BGA in 2018 and has made enormous progress for the future of the shooting industry by securing new markets around the UK with heavy hitters such as Samworth Brothers, and new exports to Hong Kong and Macau last season for the high end restaurant market.

 

Looking ahead to the next season, the BGA has welcomed its new CEO, Liam Stokes. Liam has dedicated his career to the countryside, most recently stepping up to the role of Senior Leader for Farming Sector Policy at DEFRA, where he has worked at the heart of future food and farming policy. With a focus on export markets, Liam will be tasked with leading the BGA into the next phase of development, generating further new markets for game in the UK and overseas and using his background in politics, government and shoot management to communicate the value of a self-regulating shooting sector.