Welcome to
The Game
Farmers'
Association
The Game Farmers' Association (GFA) is a trade organisation dedicated to the production of quality gamebirds for the UK shooting industry.
Many shoots in Britain rely on hand-reared gamebirds, released into the countryside during the summer to supplement the wild stocks before the winter shooting season begins. Good game farming ensures that these birds, mostly pheasant and partridge, are strong, fit and ready for the natural environment in which they will live.
Most game farmers in Britain are members of the GFA and the Association represents their interests, as well as encouraging everyone who rears game to follow high standards.
Some of our most important work has been to secure near-identical yet practical Game Rearing Codes for England, Scotland and Wales. These ensure that game farming is officially recognised by Government and is always carried out to a high welfare standard, backed by the force of law.
Latest News & Information
Government re-defines 'exercise'
Following Wednesday's debate in Parliament and further lobbying since, the Government yesterday (7/1/21) issued further guidance re-defining what is allowed by way of 'exercise' under the Covid regula ... read more
Statement on national lockdown as the third lockdown in England begins
Leading shooting, rural organisations and charities are reminding the shooting community of the importance of following the law and government guidance after the third national lockdown comes into for ... read more
Avian influenza: Latest situation - 4 December 2020
After much debate within Government, including discussion with the Core Group, there is to be an Order to house all captive birds (or to otherwise separate them from wild birds) throughout England, Wa ... read more
Wild Justice ‘would not have been successful’, Judge says
Shooting organisations have reacted positively to the publication of court papers that suggest Wild Justice’s Judicial Review on releasing gamebirds near to designated sites would not have been ... read more
COVID safe principles for game shoots in England (revised 27 Nov)
This document reflects our best understanding of current information available from government. It is issued pending sight of the legal regulation and so may be subject to change. It out ... read more
Advice on the Tiered System that will replace the National Lockdown in England
The following attachment is an interpretation of the guidance issued by government on 23 November. We will update this guidance should it be necessary to do so once the implementing legislation has be ... read more
New Avian Influenza Prevention Zone Announced
The Game Farmers' Association is advising its members that in response to the heightened risk of H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza, an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) has today been declar ... read more
Covid lockdown shooting guidance
Lockdown regulations apply throughout England from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December inclusive. Read the latest Lockdown shooting guidance. ... read more
Defra propose gamebird releasing licence around protected sites
Shooting organisations have responded with scepticism to Defra’s proposal to implement a licensing system for gamebird release in and around European protected sites, even after Wild Justice hav ... read more
