Scottish highlands venison - should we be feasting

[alba]

Hello, I’m new in here, virgin post.
I live in the Highlands and love eating venison, I have stalked but for me it’s about the meat.
I’m surrounded by deer but yet people don’t seem to be eating a lot of it? Given it’s low carbon foot print (for the eco folks) , it’s lean and healthy meat and the current cost of beef , I can’t understand it ?
So I’m thinking about getting into some game dealing in a small scale, as I meet so many people through work and leisure that have never tried venison.
When I give them some they are truly delighted with it . Given where we are with the price of beef and the amount of deer we have locally in the highlands I personally feel we should be feasting on
I have been butchering my own meat for a while now and enjoy it .. so naturally I’m thinking about starting a small business.
I’m interested in peoples opinions, obviously a lot of experience on here.
I’m not wanting to step on any toes but as far as I can see it’s not an easy thing to get a hold off at a fair price.
Ok cheers

 

[VSS]

I sell venison directly to the consumer, as do many other members of this site, and it's a very rewarding thing to do. It is simple enough to register as a Food business to enable you to sell venison from deer that you have shot yourself.
However, it's not quite so simple if you're intending to buy in carcasses for processing and resale. There's a few more hoops to jump through.
And the legislation surrounding venison dealing is a bit different in Scotland compared to other parts of the UK. I'm not sure exactly how it works up there.

 

[alba]

Hello, yes you’re probably correct. I do need to do more research and I can understand what you’re saying about it being rewarding! I currently give bits out as gifts, everyone from my bin men to close work colleagues has enjoyed a bit of stag …

 

[75]

Like @VSS (but on a smaller scale), I sell direct to the general public and also trade (restaurants, farm shops etc). For me it started as a means to an end - no game dealers around here and if I wanted to keep shooting deer then I needed to create a market. I really enjoy that side though, although I tend to stick to the bits I’m good at and have a trade butcher who cuts them for me if I have a few big ones to do at a time.

I’ve got a waiting list and the last “surplus” I had sold in 10 mins on FB. There’s definitely a market out there!

 

[sauer]

Sold in 10mins ….

So if your selling you already EHO approved ?

Or selling in fur as a whole carcass?

Spesk to your local council Enviromental Health officer …. They are very approachable and helpful…
Yes on the whole market is screwed low prices and over supply , no export market now … but if your willing to put in bot of work and dilligance there IS local market and once folk get taste and if prices ok you’ll shift it

Paul

 

[alba]

Hi, currently not selling but giving it away,
Bin men’s Xmas present etc
I’m surrounded by the stuff, I get it pretty easily, I have neighbours with arces of land and deer issues.
I have noticed everyone I give it too appreciates it so I have submitted a license application and now looking at purchasing cold larders but before I wasted my money and time I thought it would be wise to get some opinions.

75- your talking my language, I feel even the older folks in my area should benefit from it, we are surrounded by it but no one has easy access to a good sensible priced source of meat.
When I grew up as a kid on the west coast it was everywhere, this seems to have gone now which I feel is a shame .

Cheers guys

 

[Woodenbeam]

Wish you all the luck alba, I feel with the right attitude & goals there is a business there. I wouldn’t take a business loan out just yet on a cash flow forecast though.
Crack on & keep us informed

 

[25 Sharps]

In Scotland it’s slightly more complicated as someone in the chain (1 person chain that becomes you) must be a registered venison dealer.

venison Dealers Licence

According to the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996, an individual who sells, offers or exposes for sale the carcass of a deer or any part of a carcass, must hold a venison dealer's licence (VDL) (unless they are selling it directly to or have bought it directly from a LVD).

Venison supply - Best Practice Guidance

Aim The aim of this guide is to outline the appropriate legislation associated with the supply of venison and specifically clarify the different obligations imposed by the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 and the Food Hygiene Regulations. This guide also provides information on ways to add value to the...

bestpracticeguides.org.uk

 

[alba]

Hello, yes I’m aware of that my friend thanks , the application is in, just trying to keep everything above board …I’m guessing England is no where near as tight ?? Can’t even buy an air rifle now in Scotland with a license and checks ….. Cheers

 

[lochty]

Ask @roaring_stag he might be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[alba]

Thank you sir! I will cheers

 

[25 Sharps]

Hello, yes I’m aware of that my friend thanks , the application is in, just trying to keep everything above board …I’m guessing England is no where near as tight ?? Can’t even buy an air rifle now in Scotland with a license and checks ….. Cheers

Well in England you have to become a registered food business, so its still fairly stringent.

 

[VSS]

Well in England you have to become a registered food business, so its still fairly stringent.

And if you were wanting to buy in carcasses to process and sell - as the OP appears to want to do - you'd also need to be registered as an AGHE.

 

[75]

Sold in 10mins ….

So if your selling you already EHO approved ?

Yes - for supply of in fur and butchered. Just had my last inspection a week or so ago. 5* food hygiene rating.

 

[Ant ler]

Hello @alba. I also live in the Highlands and have just gone throught the whole process. All went fairly well and swiftly. If you need any help get in touch.