Training requirements in Health and Hygiene for wild game

When wild game is hunted with a view to placing it on the market, at least one active member of the hunting team must meet the training requirements - set out at Annex III, Chapter I, Section IV by the specific hygiene rules for businesses - of being a ‘trained person’ with sufficient knowledge to undertake an initial examination of wild game.

This training is to be provided to the satisfaction of the competent authority (FSA in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and cover at least the following areas:

• the normal anatomy, physiology and behaviour of wild game
• abnormal behaviour and pathological changes in wild game due to diseases, environmental contamination or other factors which may affect human health after consumption
• the hygiene rules and proper techniques for the handling, transportation and evisceration of wild game animals after killing
• legislation and administrative provisions on the animal and public health and hygiene conditions governing the placing on the market of wild game

Notifiable diseases (ND) are animal diseases that you are legally obliged to report to the APHA, even if you only suspect that an animal may be affected. If you suspect that wild game has a ND you must contact APHA. Read further information on notifiable diseases and contact details on food.gov. 

There are organisations that can provide support on how to become a ‘trained person’. We recommend that individuals wishing to become a ‘trained person’ should undertake their own research when identifying a suitable training provider.  

It is required that you find a training provider who covers the areas mentioned above (as set out in Annex III, Section IV, Chapter I by the specific hygiene rules for businesses) and offers a practical element as part of its training program.