ALMOST 40,000 wild deer per year will be turned into meat products in a £13 million deal between a Tayside firm and a Scottish Government agency.
The five-year contract will see Highland Game, based in Dundee, take 97% of all wild deer culled by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS).
The company supplies both major supermarket chains and wholesalers.
As well as the FLS deal, Highland Game buys from shooting estates including Balmoral and Blair Atholl.
While it exports to markets in France, Germany and Scandinavia amongst others, the bulk of its sales are in domestic markets.
It was founded in 1997 by Danish businessman Christian Nissen, who said: “This is a hugely successful pairing that is a real boost to the reputation of Scotland’s high-quality food and drink sector and I look forward to further work with FLS and other land managers to build on these very strong foundations.”
He went on: "Venison is a highly nutritious, versatile and affordable meat that is no longer a niche delicacy but is a year-round staple.
Our working relationship with FLS is moving from strength to strength, which is good news for us and good news for Scotland.
According to figures produced by the Deer Working Group, the total population of the iconic animal in Scotland may be approaching one million, with more than 100,000 shot each year.
The country is the UK's largest venison producer, with 3500 tonnes of wild meat and 70 tonnes of farmed material entering the market every year.
Culls of wild animals remain controversial, but today Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon said deer management is "essential to help reduce Scotland's deer population to non-damaging levels to protect the environment" from problems like over-grazing.
She stated: “As part of our ambition to create a circular economy, we should ensure that this lean, healthy source of protein reaches the food chain. This contract will make a significant contribution to Scotland’s £7.25m per year venison industry.
“Crucially, the deal with Highland Game, one of the exciting innovative businesses in our food and drink sector, brings added value to the rural economy and sustains hundreds of rural jobs and livelihoods.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel