The British Game Alliance is urging everyone to be early adopters of its voluntary 50p levy, which will be added to every bird shot this season so the not-for-profit organisation can build a much-needed self-regulatory shield around game shooting.

CEO Liam Stokes explained: “Put simply, game shooting cannot continue without credible self-regulation and it cannot thrive without a market for the birds we shoot. To achieve both, we need widespread implementation of the BGA standards.

“The BGA is almost entirely funded through registration fees of its shoots and game farms and through the efforts of guns, shoots and agents to pay and collect the levy, but we need to widen the net. So this year we are inviting everyone to become an ‘Investor in Standards’ and sign up to our 2021 voluntary levy campaign of adding 50p for every bird shot.

“Sporting agents and shoots can add the levy onto the invoices that are sent to guests and customers, along with a note to explain why paying the levy is vital for the future of shooting. Guns can support the campaign by paying the levy on the invoice, or if it has not been added to the invoice, request that it is. Guns can also invest 50p for every bird they intend to shoot directly on our website.

“Everyone who commits will receive a lapel pin marking you out as an ‘Investor in Standards’, and we will issue certificates acknowledging your contribution at the end of the season.”

As well as its own stand at the event, the BGA is hosting the brand new Totally Game area located next to Gunmakers’ Row and the Shooting Line.

Designed to showcase and promote game meat to a wider audience, there will be numerous stockists exhibiting such as Exmoor Game Company, Holme Farm Venison, Wild and Game and Willo Game.

Meanwhile, The Game Fair organisers have generously pledged to donate £5 from all ticket sales using code ‘BGA2021’ to support the critical work carried out by the organisation.

With no extra cost to visitors, all is required is for the code to be input at checkout on The Game Fair website.

With around 120,000 people expected to attend the three-day event, this fundraiser has the potential to underpin BGA work for many years to come.

Head of Operations Louisa North said: “The initiative will help raise much-needed funds so that we can continue raising awareness of game and creating a self-regulatory shield through our assurance scheme. To gain as much traction as possible we now need BGA supporters to spread the word about the code, and stress that that the donation will not cost them anything extra.”