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Scheme Assures Shoots

By By James Ashcroft

Thursday, 03 August 2006

Launched at this years CLA Game Fair the Shoot Assurance Scheme will allow shoots to have something to prove they are safe, well managed and adhere to the code of good shooting practice.

After two years of planning and development, the largest assessment scheme in the shooting world was launched at this year's CLA Game Fair.
Based on the Code of Good Shooting Practice, the Shoot Assurance scheme is the product of a combined effort between the major shooting and conservation groups. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), the Country Land & Business Association (CLA), Countryside Alliance (CA) and Game Conservancy Trust (GCT) were among those working to draw up the conditions under which a shoot can become "assured".

Prior to the launch of the scheme, shoots were expected to adhere to the Code of Good Shooting Practice, but no further assessment was required to confirm this had happened. The scheme will be monitored and certified on shoots across England and Wales by CMi plc,
an independent, third-party organisation experienced in the delivery of assurance schemes across the food industry, including the Assured Combinable Crop scheme.

It is not a requirement for shoots to be assured, but it means, in due course, that those that are will be able tangibly to prove their professionalism; gamedealers and retailers will be able to let customers know that the birds they are selling are from an assured shoot and shooting agents will be able to let assured shoots, knowing that they are of the highest standard. Oliver Harwood, CLA chief surveyor, told ST: "The assessor will spend the best part of a day at the shoot, at any time of the year. Though there are criteria that must be fulfilled in order for the shoot to pass, it isn't a simple case of pass or fail. The scheme is intended to improve shoots and all the organisations involved will try to help them pass. It's a process of assistance and assessment. Shoots will be checked annually to ensure they are still up to standard and sporting agents and supermarkets selling game will eventually look to assured shoots for business." for more information call (01993) 885 610.