Deer Central delivers Wild Game Meat Hygiene training and assessment culminating in ‘Trained Hunter / Trained Person’ status.

There are exemptions to certain regulations governing the meat industry which allow hunters to supply wild game.

As this is one of the most misunderstood and most questioned topics, we have compiled some questions along with answers which you will find below. The information is applicable to England, Wales and Scotland.

Q. Does Deer Central's Deer Stalking Certificate 1 Course include the Large Game Meat Hygiene Qualification?

A. Yes. The DSC1 Course we deliver includes both theory training and an assessment for Large Game Meat Hygiene qualification and ‘Trained Hunter / Trained Person’ Status

A. The route to Trained Hunter / Trained Person status has changed over time.

For a period, Deer Management Qualifications (DMQ) moved the award of Trained Hunter status from DSC1 to DSC2 following changes linked to the Food Standards Agency’s Wild Game Guidance. This meant that DSC1 covered the relevant wild game meat hygiene knowledge, but the Trained Hunter award itself was issued at DSC2.

DMQ has now reverted to the previous system. Successful DSC1 candidates are again issued with the Trained Hunter / Trained Person qualification, provided they successfully complete the required DSC1 assessments, including the wild game meat hygiene element.

A. For a period, Trained Hunter / Trained Person status was no longer issued through DSC1. As a result, some training providers offered an additional Game Meat Hygiene qualification, usually through a different awarding body, so that candidates had a separate certificate covering wild game meat hygiene.

DMQ has now reverted to issuing the Trained Hunter / Trained Person qualification through DSC1, provided the candidate successfully completes the required DSC1 assessments, including the Wild Game Meat Hygiene element.

For that reason, DSC1 candidates should check carefully what any add-on qualification provides, whether it is necessary for their intended use, and whether it duplicates what is already included within their DSC1 award.

A. The regulatory requirement can be found in this link Training requirements in Health and Hygiene for wild game. 

The following questions relate to requirements placed on Hunters when they supply Wild Game

Further detail on requirements can be found in the following links 

England, Wales and Northern Ireland – Primary producers of wild game: requirements and exemptions

Scotland – Food Standards Scotland Wild Game Guide and HACCP

Q Do I need a Large Game Meat Hygiene qualification if I am only selling to the Game Dealer?

A. When you sell to a Game Dealer (Approved Game Handling Establishment) you are subject to all Food Hygiene Regulations and Food Safety Law apply (Regs 852/2004 , 853/2004 and 178/2002) ,

  • You are required to be a ‘Trained Person’, inspect and sign a mandatory declaration that the carcass is fit for the food chain
  • You are required to register with your local authority as a Food Business Operator
  • A HACCP is required
  • You are required to comply with storage, transport, traceability and record keeping requirements.

A. The Retained EU regulations concern food safety in the supply of food rather than commercial enterprise so gift or sale is irrelevant**. However, within a domestic setting for family and friends,

  • Food Regulations do not apply and you are exempt food safety law.
  • There is no requirement to be trained or hold a qualification although it is recommended by the FSA that you do.
  • Any supply outside of this domestic setting could be seen as ‘Supply of Game Meat’. (see following sections)

**Please note – In Scotland, it is a legal requirement to register with the local authority to sell venison

 

A. No you don’t. A deer eviscerated with head and legs off but still in the fur is classed as a ‘Primary Product’.

  • You can supply primary products of hunting in your local area to the end consumer or retailer supplying the end consumer.
  • You are not required to be a ‘Trained Person’ or hold a qualification
  • You are not required to register with the Local Authority as a food business**.
  • A HACCP is not required
  • You are subject to General Food Safety Law (178/2002)

It is recommended that you still contact your local authority to ensure you are eligible to work under this particular exemption.

**Please Note – In Scotland, application to your local authority for a Venison Dealers Licence is a legal requirement to sell venison unless you are selling directly to a Venison Dealer.

 

A. As soon as a deer is skinned it is classed as an ‘Unprocessed product’ and from there on throughout it’s processing it is considered ‘Game Meat’ and additional regulations will apply. ‘Processed’ includes mincing, marinading, pies and ready meals. Exemptions enable you to operate and supply outside the regulations governing the meat industry however,

  • You are subject to General Food Regulations and Food Safety Law (852/2004 and 172/2002).
  • Nature of supply is restricted to small quantities, locally to the end consumer or retailer supplying the end consumer.
  • You must be a ‘Trained Person’
  • You must register with your local authority as a Food Business Operator**  (Gift or sale is irrelevant)
  • A HACCP is required

** An application to the local authority for a Venison Dealer’s Licence is a legal requirement in Scotland

If you are interested to learn more about the topics covered above we would recommend looking at our Deer Stalking Certificate 1 Course where we unwrap the topics further in the classroom.