Game dealers commit to lead-free meat

Members of the National Game Dealers’ Association (NGDA) have agreed to source all feather and fur game, as well as venison and wild boar, from lead-free supply chains from July 1^st 2022.

The organisation said this was would future-proof the sale of game meat in their customers’ businesses and  ensure continued consumer growth from those people seeking to enjoy the UK’s healthy delicious game products.

“This is a positive move for our industry to protect the environment and further assure our products in a highly competitive marketplace. The NGDA and its members will be working with the relevant industry groups to ensure, with this notice, our supply chains are able to make a transition,” said a spokesperson.

A group of leading shooting and rural organisations including British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), Countryside Alliance (CA), British Game Alliance (BGA) and Game Farmers’ Association (GFA) has welcomed the news.

A joint statement said: “A strong game market and acceptance of game meat will mean a strong future for shooting. The continued use of lead shot has become a growing blocker for the game market. This was a key driver in the announcement by the shooting organisations last year of a five-year voluntary transition away from lead shot for live quarry.

“The NGDA represents an influential portion of the overall game dealers sector and their statement provides significant direction and leadership.

“The shooting organisations continue to work towards a voluntary five-year transition but accept that changes within some areas of the sector may move quicker than in other areas.

“The shooting organisations will continue to work with all stakeholders to support the transition through education, promotion, research and development in sustainable ammunition.”

Liam Stokes from the BGA added that his organisation would be working with shoots and other suppliers to support the community through the changes.

He said: “We have no doubt that the future of game meat is a BGA-assured, lead-free supply chain and that is what we intend to deliver for the part of our sector that supplies the commercial market.

“But we remain an organisation delivering Shoot Assurance to every part of the shooting community, to shoots large and small, creating a self-regulatory shield that will safeguard all our futures.

“Our commitment to self-assurance accessible to all will not change as we seek to support those enterprises moving to a lead-free model. Our mission has always been twofold, to protect our members through self-regulation, and to boost the consumption of game. A consumer of game is the surest friend of game shooting and supporting the transition to lead-free is the surest way to increase our number of friends.”