Currently serving his final year as chair of Lantra’s game and wildlife industry group, and winding down to retirement, Robert Cottam has lost none of his enthusiasm for training, and reflects that:
“Training is hugely important – and these days in game farming and keeping, much of it is obligatory."
“The last decade has seen legislation change the work, occupational standards and vocational qualifications in our industry. For example the Food Standards Agency (FSA) brought in food hygiene regulations covering the handling of game. Previously game could be shot and sold, but as of January 2007 a certificate is needed to prove you are competent to handle game and would recognise tainted meat. So with only about six months’ notice, there was a terrific training need and pressure to train 15,000 people fast! Lantra helped decide what training was required to satisfy the FSA.
“Similarly in April this year, the Animal Transport Act required a new certificate for transporting game. Although this time there was a year to get 15,000 trained, update the NVQ and get a certificate sorted out. Lantra plays a vital role in all this and contributes enormously.
“Made up of hundreds of small units the industry is very co-operative and law-abiding, with all the official bodies and trade associations working together. The group always ensures that any qualification developed for England is also recognised in Scotland as well.
“Game keepers and farmers face criticism largely through people not understanding what is done – or not done. Many who criticise the industry happily eat battery chicken, yet our quarry is free range, organic, and is not taken to market or a slaughterhouse. If 10-12 million pheasants are shot in the autumn, at least twice as many will have been released. Humanely reared, they must be kept in good condition, and they’re killed in the wild. There’s also a tremendous spin off for conservation. Creating the right habitat for game helps songbirds and other animals.
“The next challenge for the industry is developing a modular form of training. This will be especially useful to the many game keepers who now also do other work, such as managing a milking herd or a stretch of river for fishing. Training needs to accommodate this diversification, and if people are acquiring a mix of skills, they need a qualification to reflect this. A number of skills in the land-based sector are transferable, such as health and safety, security and dealing with the public.”
