Publication of Revised Wild Game Guidance

25 July, 2022

Article by:
Training, BDS, British Deer Society

Publication of Revised Wild Game Guidance

The revised Wild Game Guidance (WGG) has been published as of the 25th of July 2022

The WGG was last reviewed and published in November 2015. A public consultation was launched on 15 July 2020 and the consultation feedback was published on 10 February 2021. The consultation feedback was extensive with over 100 responses which highlighted a number of areas of consideration.

Revision of the content post-consultation (working in collaboration with FSA England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Food Standards Scotland), has resulted in a robust review on the WGG for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

There are no significant policy changes in this revised guidance, it merely provides an update clarifying the legal status of the WGG to reflect Retained EU Law (REUL) and incorporates practical changes to the layout to improve readability.

Other updates to the WGG include:

removal of the section on Approved Game Handling Establishments as this guidance is for hunters and primary producers of wild game
a reference to a recent amendment to EU Law regarding collection centres for wild game, which applies in Northern Ireland
clarification of the exemptions that apply to primary production within a table format, and
a section on imports and exports signposting traders (importers and exporters) in Great Britain to relevant guidance and information on new rules and processes that apply from 1 January 2021.

Please contact wildgameguidance@food.gov.uk if you have any questions.