A gamekeeper from County Down has presented Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA with a brace of pheasants at Stormont to mark the start of National Taste of Game Week this weekend (14-21 November).
Robert Crofts from Portavo Estate along with Roger Pollen (Northern Ireland director of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation) and chef and restaurateur Peter McErlean of The Cuan in Strangford visited Stormont to promote National Taste of Game Week.
Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA said: “National Taste of Game Week is a great initiative as it encourages people to buy local produce, try new foods and support local businesses. Shooting sports contribute a great deal to the environment and the economy in Northern Ireland; shooting is worth £45 million a year in the Province, sees £10 million of conservation work being done annually and supports the equivalent of 2,100 jobs. I’m delighted to support BASC’s Taste of Game Week and to recognise the great contribution that the shooting community makes to Northern Ireland’s environment.”
BASC, which organises National Taste of Game Week, has been instrumental in increasing the awareness of game as a high quality, nutritious food source. A dozen restaurants across the province will be running taste of game evenings and/or promotions throughout November. For further information about events, how to prepare game for the table and for new recipe ideas visit our website www.gameson.org.uk or call 028 9260 5050.
ENDS