Top UK retailer M&S has said it will be the first major name to stock game that is both lead-free and British Game Assurance-certified.

The news follows the recent annual Agents’ Symposium, which was attended by a senior member of M&S’ agriculture team.

M&S has stated its intention to lead the way in the sale of sustainable game, which is why the retailer has scrutinised and adopted the BGA’s standards.

At the Agents’ Symposium at Royal Berkshire Shooting, it was made clear that all meats have in-country, independently certified standards and, from now on, M&S would expect to see game assured in the same way.

BGA is now calling on shoots that want to register for assurance and make the transition to away from lead ammunition to contact them to find out how they can supply M&S.

BGA CEO Liam Stokes described this is a landmark moment for the game meat market, adding: “M&S has told the shooting world that it wants to be the frontrunner in sourcing sustainable, British game and that means insisting on BGA certification as well as lead-free.

“We, as a shooting community, now need to rise to that challenge. Our new regional development officers are on hand to help any shoot on the journey to assurance and they are waiting to hear from you.”

www.britishgameassurance.co.uk