SQWV Ltd – Aims and Benefits
Why Assurance?
There are many reasons why you might harvest deer on your property. These can include the sporting aspect, maintaining the environment and habitat on your land, and helping manage a healthy population of deer.
However there is one factor you will almost all have in common which is that you are supplying venison into the human food chain. Whether the annual harvest is large or small there is a responsibility to ensure that your venison reaches the consumer in the best possible condition.
SQWV Ltd is a dynamic Scheme, with standards that will alter in response to consumer, trade and legislative concerns and requirements. Standards are reviewed annually and members will be kept fully informed of any changes in the standards and conditions that may affect them.
The Aims and Benefits of The SQWV Ltd Scheme:
The SQWV Ltd Scheme only relates to ‘wild’ venison. This means managed populations of deer living in forests, hills and parkland under conditions of freedom i.e. living naturally.
It Aims to Ensure:
- That the deer populations are being managed humanely.
- The harvest and transport of carcase to the larder is well managed.
- High food hygiene standards of carcase handling and larder storage.
- Traceability of the venison from hill to plate.
The Scheme Benefits its Members by:
- Reinforcing the quality image of wild Scottish venison.
- Meeting SQWV Ltd standards helps them meet food hygiene laws.
- Enabling them to demonstrate an understanding of food hygiene laws to authorities, venison processors and retailers.
- Reducing inspection frequency from local authorities as they recognise SQWV Ltd members have high standards and represent low risk.