Greater Exmoor Shoot Association joins Aim to Sustain Assurance Scheme

Aim to Sustain, of which the Countryside Alliance is a partner organisation, is delighted to announce that The Greater Exmoor Shoot Association (GESA), led by Chairman Gareth Clark, has joined the Aim to Sustain Game Assurance Scheme, with twenty member shoots joining this initiative in a historic move. The announcement was made at The Game Fair, where Gareth Clark and Brian Mitchell, Vice-Chair of the National Gamekeepers Organisation and GESA member, represented the association. 

This significant commitment to the game assurance scheme is set to inspire confidence among other shoots across the country, encouraging them to join and demonstrate their own high standards of practice through the assurance scheme. Aim to Sustain provides extensive support and advice to assist shoots and game farms in preparing for assessment and achieving accreditation through an independent and qualified audit. 

The Aim to Sustain Game Assurance scheme is recognised for its rigorous and independent assessment process, offering credible evidence of compliance and best practices within the industry. 

This not only supports individual members and the sector in demonstrating their commitment to excellence, but also provides a robust defence against any accusations of misconduct, malicious or otherwise. 

A recent discount is offered for groups joining the scheme, with a 20% fee reduction for groups of twenty or more members, with other discounts for smaller groups. 

Gareth Clark, Chairman of GESA, commented:

“Most shoots on Exmoor have signed up through the Greater Exmoor Shooting Association, with a small remaining handful I hope will join shortly along with the game farmers. We understand the need to work together to improve our standards of practice along with valuable data collection, both of these areas are crucial to highlight all the hard work and commitment undertaken by owners/managers and gamekeepers in our sector. Together with data, that can be used in our defence if and when required. It is imperative that every shoot/game farm joins either Trusted Game or Aim to Sustain Game Assurance, no matter how big or small. Doing nothing is not an option!” 

Brian Mitchell, Vice-Chair National Gamekeepers Organisation and GESA member added:

“I have been a gamekeeper all my life and am still working full time at 75. I see bigger challenges to our industry now than ever before, so please come together at this time to protect the sport we all love.” 

Countryside Alliance Chief Executive, Tim Bonner, added:

“GESA are helping fortify the future of game shooting by signing up for Aim to Sustain Game Assurance. In this political climate it’s imperative that all shoots join assurance schemes to demonstrate tangibly that they adhere to best practice and are a force for good in the countryside.” 

Spike Butcher, Operations Director at Aim to Sustain, commented:

“There are so many shoots that operate to the very highest standards and Aim to Sustain Game Assurance enable shoots to prove it. The leadership shown by GESA is to be applauded and should give others the confidence to make this important step and help to protect the future of shooting by proving what high standards they deliver.” 

BASC Chief Executive, Ian Bell, said:

“We all know the benefits that shooting and game management bring to conservation, the rural economy and communities but it is imperative that we can demonstrate this to politicians and the wider public. There is no better way to demonstrate these benefits than by signing up to the Aim to Sustain assurance scheme.”