Key UK rural organisations launched a formal partnership to promote the many conservation and community benefits that make the countryside a better place for all to enjoy.

The launch of ‘Aim to Sustain’ was revealed at The Game Fair last Friday and the partnership highlight the crucial role that sustainable game shooting plays in delivering biodiversity net gain through preserving and protecting cherished rural landscapes and a tremendous array of wildlife.

It will also focus on showcasing the contribution that game management makes to sustaining rural communities, providing high quality food and making the countryside a place that visitors treasure year in, year out.

The organisations committed to the Aim to Sustain partnership include the Countryside Alliance (CA), British Game Alliance (BGA), British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), Country Land & Business Association (CLA), Game Farmers’ Association (GFA), Moorland Association (MA), National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) and Scottish Land and Estates (SLE). The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) will be acting as advisors.

The organisations will work together to communicate to the public and decision-makers how sustainability is at the core of progressive game management, while promoting the highest standards of self-regulation and produce credible, robust and focused research.

Aim to Sustain launches with a 10-week ‘Have Your Say’ consultation that will seek the opinions of the quarter of a million-strong combined membership of the individual organisations.

The partnership issued a joint statement to mark the launch: “Aim to Sustain is dedicated to protecting, preserving and promoting the many wide-ranging conservation, biodiversity and community benefits that make the countryside the place we love.

“So many people enjoy the great landscapes and tremendous array of wildlife and there is a colossal effort made to make that happen.

“Modern game management is a crucially important part of that effort and we are committed to demonstrating that high standards and robust self-regulation are the foundation of our efforts in delivering for the environment, species, habitat and food. We hope that this new and exciting partnership can achieve greater recognition of the multiple benefits that are provided as a result of game management and shooting.

“We want those benefits to be secured for future generations and we will continue to play our part in tackling climate change, producing biodiversity gain as well as ensuring the sustainability of wonderful wildlife.

“Rural organisations have stood side by side for many years but now, working as a partnership, we can be stronger and louder in highlighting the great work that is being done day in and day out for the benefit of the countryside, the environment, local communities and the people who cherish the sights and sounds of rural Britain.”

This partnership will further improve co-operation between the organisations and strengthen our voice when explaining the inextricable links between sustainable game management, gamekeeping and conservation. It will also promote the roles of the organisations in supporting and bringing together rural communities.

aimtosustain.org.uk

Announcing the “considerable step on the road back to normality,” this week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also told Monday’s news conference to remember: “Outdoors is always safer than indoors.”

With the latest data showing Coronavirus deaths and hospitalisations had dropped to their lowest level since last July, the UK’s four chief medical officers confirming the covid alert level had been lowered from four to three.

The Prime Minister added: “We’re taking a step toward that moment when we learn to live responsibly with Covid, when we cease eventually to rely on detailed government edicts and make our own decisions based on the best scientific advice about how best to protect our families and those around us.”