Consultation on the Draft Revised FSS Wild Game Guide

Overview

Introduction

The Wild Game Guide (WGG) aims to clearly explain the food hygiene legal requirements that apply to various circumstances in which wild game is hunted and supplied for human consumption, both in fur/feather or as wild game meat. In particular it explains the requirements set out in the European Union (EU) General Food Law Regulation, Regulation (EC) 178/2002, and those in the EU Food Hygiene Regulations, Regulation (EC) 852/2004 and Regulation (EC) 853/2004.

After hunting, there are several possible scenarios for the onward use and supply of wild game carcasses for human consumption. Wild game can be kept for the hunter's own private domestic consumption, supplied in fur/feather or as meat to final consumers and local retail establishments, or supplied to approved game handling establishments (AGHEs) for processing and further retail and wholesale supply. These various options for the processing and supply of wild game entail different obligations and legal requirements for both hunters and suppliers. The WGG is therefore an important resource to clearly communicate these various legal obligations and requirements to hunters and others involved in the wild game food chain.

Purpose of a Revised Guide

The current WGG is a joint Food Standards Scotland (FSS) and Food Standards Agency (FSA) document, originally published in 2008. It has received several subsequent updates, with the most recent in 2018. However, it has become clear over time that the guide lacks clarity and does not set out the legal requirements as clearly as it could. Moreover, as the original guide is now almost twelve years old, there is new knowledge and research to share.

FSS have decided to produce a standalone guide, separate to that of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This decision was taken to allow FSS greater editorial control in the future, making it simpler to enact any future changes to the guide, including changes in law. Currently however, the relevant regulations and legal requirements remain the same, so the changes carried out in the new guide will be policy neutral. Therefore, the purpose of the new guide is simply to give greater clarity on the regulatory requirements and improve reader friendliness.

The WGG should highlight and explain the relevant food hygiene regulatory requirements and exemptions which apply to hunters and suppliers of wild game. Its purpose is not to act as best practice guidance for the hunting, handling or processing of wild game. Moreover, the WGG’s scope is limited to food hygiene regulations and requirements as this is the area within FSS competence. This is important to bear in mind when reading the guide.

Consultation Details and What Happens Next

This consultation will be open from the 1st of October 2020 for a total of 12 weeks. It will therefore close on the 24th of December 2020.

Once the consultation closes, all responses will be collated, analysed and checked to ensure they contain no defamatory material. The consultation responses in which the respondent has given permission for their response to be public, will then be shared on the FSS website.

Once the responses are collated, the feedback and view provided within them will be taken into account and incorporated into the revised Wild Game Guide. Responses will be used to imporve the guide and address any issues or concerns raised.

All respondents should be aware that FSS is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and would therefore have to consider any request made to it under the Act for information relating to responses made to this consultation exercise.

Why your views matter

This consultation has been created to seek the views of members of the wild game industry and other interested stakeholders, on the revised Wild Game Guide produced by FSS.

FSS would welcome any feedback on the revised guide but are particularly interested in the following aspects:

• Clarity on the regulatory requirements and exemptions
• Readability and user friendliness
• Helpfulness of additional sections outwith those outlining regulatory exemptions and requirements

Please follow the 'Give us your views' link below to respond to this consultation.

What happens next

Once the consultation closes, all responses will be collated, analysed and checked to ensure they contain no defamatory material. The consultation responses in which the respondent has given permission for their response to be public, will then be shared on the FSS website.

Once the responses are collated, the feedback and view provided within them will be taken into account and incorporated into the revised Wild Game Guide. Responses will be used to imporve the guide and address any issues or concerns raised.

All respondents should be aware that FSS is subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and would therefore have to consider any request made to it under the Act for information relating to responses made to this consultation exercise.