New SQWV Brand Licencing Scheme for AGHE processors
SQWV has created a new Processor Brand Licencing Scheme for registered Approved Game Handling Establishments (AGHEs). This covers larder to point of sale, allowing end-to-end certification and the use of the SQWV brand in marketing and on packaging. With this comes the potential to sell SQWV certified venison at a premium, and to access markets that value quality assured products.
The scheme has been developed with the input of processors of all sizes and other industry stakeholders to ensure it works for everyone and brings benefits to the whole venison sector by raising the profile of quality assured wild venison.
For further information about the scheme please email info@sqwv.co.uk.
The 2026 SQWV Scheme Standards update has been released
The annual update of the standards is now available to download here, and will be implemented in all assessments from 1st March 2026. The only significant amendment relates to water quality testing.
August 2025: Record Book Template and Assessment Checklist now available to download
To support members in keeping the required records and in getting ready for an assessment, we now have two documents available to download: SQWV Record Book Template, and SQWV Assessment Checklist.
January 2025: SQWV Scheme Standards have been updated
The standards have been restructured to make them clearer and easier to use, along with some updates to keep them aligned with industry standards after consultation with key stakeholders. All assessments of current members and new applicants to the scheme will now use the updated standards. You can download them here.
December 2024: Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV) engages Food Integrity Assurance Ltd as Certification Provider to deliver a high-quality assurance service for Scottish Wild Venison Producers.
Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV) is delighted to announce the engagement of Food Integrity Assurance Ltd (FIA) to manage the SQWV Standards and to provide the next phase of quality assurance service for Scottish Wild Venison producers.
Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV) is an independent company that, for over 20 years, has maintained, developed, and promoted quality assurance standards throughout the wild venison industry in Scotland. It has achieved this by working closely with producers and processors and the onward supply chain to support the commitment of its Scheme’s members and deliver return on investment for them.
Benefits for wild venison estates/managers and individual stalkers who register with SQWV include:
- Demonstrating adherence to the highest welfare and environmental standards.
- Ensuring traceability within the food chain from source to consumer.
- Increasing confidence knowing they are operating according to Best Practice.
- Building customer trust – the SQWV logo represents high production and provenance standards.
- Increasing safety – the more sites that sign up to SQWV Assurance, the safer venison production becomes.