Misery for some, but game on for Christmas

Bird flu has been causing such anxiety across the shooting world that it is easy to forget about the wider effects, even though they may have implications for game.

Consumer buying habits shift around Christmas, with butchers suddenly finding customers queueing down the street for a free-range turkey. Birds kept in as a result of the recent nationwide housing order (News, 9 November) can remain inside for up to 16 weeks without jeopardising their freerange designation, but sadly a third of all British free-range turkeys have already been carried off by bird flu.

No one wants to profit from the misery of others, but this will affect game sales. The quantity

“Shoppers will be able to find alternatives for the festive table”

of game on the shelves across the supermarkets is roughly the same as this time last year. Looking forward to Christmas, one has rationalised its lines, but the others all look similar to 2021. In the circumstances, holding steady is a win and means shoppers seeking an alternative will be able to find game for their festive table.

Liam Stokes is chief executive of British Game Assurance and has worked at both Defra and the GWCT.