All you need to know about sustainably sourced British game

Head back into our blog archives and you’ll find a piece all about the British Game Industry. It’s a controversial topic, but with the right know-how you can be confident in sitting down to great quality, ethically sourced and sustainable British Game.

The BGA mark of quality

We’re proud to announce that all of our Wild Game Birds are accredited by the British Game Alliance. The BGA are a regulatory organisation working to ensure the highest standards of practice across registered shoots, including sustainability, quality of produce, animal welfare and environmental biodiversity.

To be accepted as member of the BGA, all shoots must follow a set of standards outlined by the organisation. These standards include low stocking densities to maintain animal welfare, careful land management to benefit the environment, a ban on lead pellets as legally required and immediate removal from the BGA if convicted of a wildlife crime.

Addressing all of the controversial issues that continue to cloud British Game, the BGA and its certified suppliers are working hard to create a sustainable British industry that benefits our environment, our wildlife and our rural economy. It’s not hard to see why we’re feeling pretty happy to be on board with that.

Why we should eat more game

It seems obvious to say taste, but the reputation for having a strong and ‘gamey’ flavour is notorious for putting people off, so it’s definitely a point worth addressing. Treated right and widely misunderstood, the flavour of our Wild Game is an underappreciated treat (keep reading for cooking tips & recipes). Lean, aromatic and filled with flavour, “gamey” is an adjective that doesn’t do our Wild Game Birds justice. You’ll have to try it to see for yourself – but in the meantime, take our word for it.

For the health conscious among us, Wild Game makes a great addition to the diet. Naturally low in fat thanks to their active lifestyle, our Wild Game Birds offer up maximum flavour for minimum fat content. Not only this, but being a fragrant meat that doesn’t rely on fat for flavour, you don’t have to worry about missing out on that front either.

Last but not least, our Wild Game Birds are a British meat that’s available to us right here on our doorstep. A good enough reason as any to tuck into our British Wild Game Birds this season.

Cooking our wild game birds

If you’ve never cooked with Game before but you’re curious to give it a go, our website is full of recipes to inspire you in the kitchen. You might be surprised to learn that our Wild Game has a lot more to say for itself than a buttery puff pastry pie (although undoubtedly one of life’s greatest pleasures).

• Whole Partridge & Partridge breasts: Try pairing our Wild Partridge with honey roasted squash or homemade cider gravy. If you prefer a kick of spice, our Tandoori Partridge with Almond Rice is wonderfully fragrant, a bold enough flavour match for this aromatic bird.

• Wild Woodpigeon Breasts: Sweet and nutty in flavour, we recommend pan-frying and serving on top of warm salad with seasonal greens, earthy beetroot and a generous drizzle of French mustard dressing.

• Whole Pheasant & Pheasant Breasts: Stronger in flavour than chicken, pair our Wild Pheasant with a full-bodied red-wine gravy, rich in dark fruits and tannins. Great for a seasonal Sunday roast with a difference.

• Whole Wild Mallard: Similar in flavour to Goose, Mallard works perfectly with traditional fruit-based combinations like orange and blackberries, but it’s more versatile than you might think. Try it stir-fried with noodles, soy sauce and crunchy wok-seared vegetables for a speedy weeknight meal.

Make 2020 the year of ethical game

It’s time to embrace our BGA-certified British Wild Game Birds. Seasonal, sustainable and delicious. Get them before they’re gone (when we say seasonal, we mean it).

Note: The infrastructure of the assurance scheme built by British Game Assurance (BGA) was transferred to Aim to Sustain (ATSGA) in October 2023.