'Self-regulation and carry on' at the Trusted Game conference 2024

Last week the shooting sector assembled at Englefield House in Berkshire for the inaugural Trusted Game conference. Attended by representatives from most of the major shooting organisations as well as game farmers, shoot managers, gamekeepers, vets, sporting agents and others, there was a convivial atmosphere, not overcome by the doomsaying which can seem prevalent when shooting people come together. 

The importance and benefit of self-regulation was the overriding theme of the two-day conference, with assurance schemes a particular focus. It was brought to the fore that the shooting sector must pull up their socks and show those in the corridors of power the widespread good-practice and reliability of the game shooting sector. If lawmakers reach the opinion that those who operate shoots cannot be trusted to act in a sustainable and environmentally beneficial way, then heavily restrictive legislation on game shooting practices becomes a strong likelihood. With self-regulation, we have the opportunity to demonstrate that such a heavy-handed legislative approach is not necessary and could indeed damage the good which game shooting currently brings. As Spike Butcher of Aim to Sustain put it, “Self-regulate and carry on”. 

Themes of wildlife conservation, biosecurity, global supply chains and antimicrobial best practice were all covered by a who’s who of guest speakers, but naturally the leitmotif across the conference was game assurance. Trusted Game, the organiser of the conference, is a simple and affordable audit-based scheme run by vets which allows shoots and game farms to demonstrate their high-standards when it comes to gamebird health and welfare. Trusted Game represents a good starting point for shoots and game farms which want to take a step in the right direction with regard self-regulation.  

Also at the conference was Mike Fellows, the Assurance Advisor for the Aim to Sustain Game Assurance Scheme, which transferred from the British Game Assurance last year. Both Trusted Game and the Aim to Sustain Game Assurance Scheme have a key role to play in achieving the highest levels in shoot assurance. The Aim to Sustain scheme looks at shoot operations from egg to plate and is independently audited by Intertek, who also audit for Red Tractor Assurance. We encourage all shoots who want to show that their entire operation is carried out to the highest standards to investigate the Aim to Sustain Game Assurance Scheme, find out more here. For game to find a wider market share in this country, assurance schemes like the Aim to Sustain offering are vital to show good provenance and gain the trust of shoppers.