New round of funding for low ground venison supply chain

The third round of the Low Ground Venison Supply Chain Project was launched today (18 June) at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston.

The £150,000 fund is a partnership between NatureScot and the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS), working closely with Lowland Deer Network Scotland and Scottish Venison.

Stalkers and deer management groups can apply for up to 50% of the cost of purchasing equipment to upgrade their larder, chilling and carcass handling facilities.

The aim of the project is to increase the capacity of the venison supply to the food chain, helping to reduce deer numbers and bring more locally harvested venison to market.

Pete Moore, from NatureScot’s wildlife management team, said: “This is great opportunity for both professional and recreational low ground stalkers to improve their larder and processing facilities. Feedback from previous rounds of funding has been really positive, with many participants reporting it has allowed them to increase their cull and produce more quality venison locally.”

John Bruce, Chair of Lowland Deer Network Scotland, said: “This project was informed by a survey that LDNS carried out asking deer managers about their venison handling capacity, particularly their chilling requirements. Whether opening commercial processing facilities or simply improving their own facilities, we are already seeing an increase in carcasses entering the public food chain as a result of this funding. I’d encourage anyone who is thinking about expanding or upgrading their operation to take up this opportunity.”

Richard Cooke, Chairman of Scottish Venison, said: “This is an excellent initiative. It is absolutely in line with the Scottish Venison strategy to develop capacity for safe and legal collection, chilling, and processing of venison locally across Scotland’s low ground, with a view to increasing the harvest of venison from our roe deer population and getting that to market as a priority. The response so far has been remarkable. It has been such a good project to create a line of communication with lowland deer managers.”

Fergus Younger, SAOS project manager, said: "We are really pleased that the first rounds of this fund were so successful, with feedback showing that it’s really helping stalkers on the ground. We look forward to helping the next round of applicants through the process."

The scheme is open for applications from stalkers and groups from 18 June until 18 August.

SAOS staff are available to help with applications, initial enquiries should be directed to venison@saos.coop