Greater Exmoor Shoots Association joins Aim to Sustain assurance scheme

Twenty shoots who are members of the Greater Exmoor Shoots Association (GESA) have joined the Aim to Sustain Game Assurance Scheme. 

The announcement was made at The Game Fair, where GESA chairman Gareth Clark and Brian Mitchell, vice chair of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation and GESA member, represented the association. 

The commitment of 20 of GESA’s member shoots to the Aim to Sustain Game Assurance Scheme adds to list of shoots across the UK who are already signed up. It is hoped that more will follow suit by joining and demonstrating their own high standards of practice through the assurance scheme. 

Aim to Sustain provides extensive support and advice to assist shoots and game farms in preparing for assessment and achieving accreditation, which is completed through an independent and qualified audit. 

The scheme is recognised for its rigorous and independent assessment process, offering credible evidence of compliance and best practices within the industry. This not only supports individual members and the sector in demonstrating their commitment to excellence, but also provides a robust defence against any accusations of misconduct, malicious or otherwise.

A discount is offered for groups joining the assurance scheme, with a 20 per cent fee reduction for groups of 20 or more members, with other discounts available for smaller groups.

Gareth Clark, chairman of GESA, commented: “Most shoots on Exmoor have signed up through the Greater Exmoor Shoots Association, with a small remaining handful I hope will join shortly along with the game farmers. 

“We understand the need to work together to improve our standards of practice along with valuable data collection. Both of these areas are crucial to highlight all the hard work and commitment undertaken by owners/managers and gamekeepers in our sector. Together with data, that [commitment] can be used in our defence if and when required.”

Brian Mitchell, vice chair of National Gamekeepers’ Organisation and GESA member added: “I have been a gamekeeper all my life and am still working full time at 75. I see bigger challenges to our industry now than ever before, so please come together at this time to protect the sport we all love.”

Spike Butcher, operations director at Aim to Sustain, commented: “There are so many shoots that operate to the very highest standards and Aim to Sustain game assurance enables shoots to prove it. The leadership shown by GESA is to be applauded and should give others the confidence to make this important step and help to protect the future of shooting by proving what high standards they deliver.”

BASC’s chief executive, Ian Bell, said: “We all know the benefits that shooting and game management bring to conservation, the rural economy and communities but it is imperative that we can demonstrate this to politicians and the wider public. There is no better way to demonstrate these benefits than by signing up to the Aim to Sustain assurance scheme.”

Countryside Alliance CEO, Tim Bonner, commented: “GESA are helping fortify the future of game shooting by signing up for Aim to Sustain Game Assurance. In this political climate it’s imperative that all shoots join assurance schemes to demonstrate tangibly that they adhere to best practice and are a force for good in the countryside.”

Find out more about the game assurance and self regulation, including how to sign up to the Aim to Sustain Game Assurance Scheme here.