SGA members in South Lanarkshire introduced newcomers to locally sourced venison last week, highlighting the possibilities for potential new markets with targeted central support.
Trained urban deer managers provided venison burgers and square sausage, under Scottish Quality Wild Venison assurance, to adults and kids at the Langlands Moss nature reserve in East Kilbride.
Kids from local scout groups and parents were led on walks through the woods to learn about bats and moths at the event hosted by Friends of Langlands Moss.
There they enjoyed the healthy venison laid on free of charge by the local deer managers, with many further inquiries as to where they could buy it themselves.
With Scottish Government promising to invest in local larder facilities to enable more venison to reach previously untapped domestic markets such as consumers in the central belt, the East Kilbride event highlighted the benefits targeted investment could have in growing demand for a quality product which is sustainable, lean and highly nutritious.
Local deer manager and member of the SGA Deer Group, David Quarrell said: “If a pilot project was started in this area, with a proper chill facility, there is real potential to get venison in front of more people. It is in sustainable supply, it is healthy and realising this resource means locally sourced food, a very low carbon footprint and potential for future growth. It also means that deer are being properly managed around towns and cities and helping to meet Scottish Government objectives in managing green spaces, cutting down on poaching, and preventing deer vehicle collisions.”
