National quality assurance scheme for wild venison launches

A new scheme to boost consumers' confidence in the venison market and support the sustainable management of wild deer in the countryside has launched

The wild venison quality assurance scheme, which will be open to applicants in Northern Ireland, England and Wales, will ensure a set of audited standards are met throughout the supply chain, from forests to the processing chain, to supermarket shelves.

Successful applicants - including venison producer and processers - will support the development of a wider, more robust marketplace for British wild venison, which is a sustainable and healthy food source.

Applicants must demonstrate they comply with the new scheme, ensuring carcasses are handled correctly, premises are registered as food businesses with the local authority, and that standards expected for producing food are met in line with relevant regulations and best practice, ensuring that full traceability occurs. It is hoped the first quality-assured meat badged under this scheme will go on sale next year.

Find out more and apply for the venison quality assurance scheme.

First published 9 May 2023