Scottish Venison Working Group

Present: Stephen Gibbs, Richard Cooke, John Morison, Willie Lamont, Nichola Fletcher, Leo Barclay, Bruce Brymer, Christan Nissen, Richard Townsend, Alastair McGugan, Linzi Seivwright, Dick Playfair
Circulate: Above + John Fletcher, George Macdonald, Will Boyd Wallis, George Henderson, Leslie Waugh, Douglas Scott (SFMTA)
For info: Robert Balfour, Finlay Clark, Andy Leitch, Jonathan Whitehead (SFQC), Ali Loder, David Greer, Clare Bickford

The following points were discussed:

1. Matters arising
• Game dealers customer info still required by Dick for listing on the website. Leo suggested that Dick contact Mhairi for Rannoch customers.
• Separate meeting with SFMTA (Dick, Leo, Bruce) still to be arranged.
• Linzi gave update on new schools material that will be going on the website.
• Handout for estates showing how they can get involved in a venison educational day with their local school is being developed.

2.

2.1

2.2 Ashwood Study

Content and wording of Report
Stephen reported that a sub-group (Stephen, Richard C, Alastair, Linzi, Dick) had met with Keith McKellar to review the report and made a few suggestions for change to the SWOT analysis and conclusions.

Stephen directed the meeting that these were the two areas on which the group should focus.

More comments as follows:
• 'variable quality' should be added to the SWOT analysis under weaknesses.
• the lead issue could be highly damaging, but needed to remain and decided to reword this as 'possible contamination from residues' as this could also apply to other contaminants.
Note: this issue has now been featured in Sporting Rifle (June 2010) – What would a lead ban mean for stalkers?

Threats in the report should now be listed as follows:
1. From NZ imports
2. Perceived vulnerability to food scare
3. Possible contamination from residues
4. Rogue producer/supplier as a result of bad practice.

Revised SWOT analysis attached to minutes.

Under conclusions, Nichola asked for 'possibly through sports stalking' to be removed under opportunity to expand deer farming/ranching, and that this recommendation should be moved up to 2.

The producer co-operative option should remain albeit this should now be seen in the context of a proposal being developed by the main game dealers (see 4. below).

All conclusions/recommendations to be numbered.

Delivery and promotion of report
It was agreed that at this stage publicity for the report should not be sought.

A short 'Group Preface' giving the SVWG reaction to the report and the Group's recommendations for the way forward should be drafted. This would be needed to accompany the report's delivery in the first instance to the Scottish Government Food Team.

The preface should broadly show what the Group thinks should happen next, show public benefits that can be delivered, explanation of DCS involvement etc. Decided that the Group was in favour of a 'quantum leap' approach and that status quo was not an option.

Decided that the report and accompanying paper from SVWG should, when finalised in the next 2 weeks, be forwarded to Alastair Prior at Pentland House, followed by an immediate meeting to enable the Group to discuss with him and his team the report and their recommendations.

Reps to meet with Alastair should represent cross-section of the sector to include wild and farmed producers, game dealers, butchers and SQWV (Richard C, Christian, Nichola/John/Ali, Alastair/Linzi, Stephen, Dick)

Thereafter the Report would be submitted to the Minister, Cabinet Secretary and Scotland Food and Drink with recommendations.

The content of the short SVWG paper on the way forward will also be important, and it is for this that publicity should be sought in due course. Agreed that some elements of the Ashwood Study could be damaging if taken out of context and that a plan should be in place to mitigate future negative media interest. It has been paid for by public money and therefore will be in the public domain.

Stephen asked all Group members to be circumspect about how the report is circulated at this time.

3. Consumer Quality Assurance and Grading
One element that is proposed in the Report is the opportunity for a consumer quality mark, possibly as an adjunct to the SQWV scheme, and a grading structure.

Johnny Morison said that there was now a Phd student availability from a NZ venison farming background with an interest in looking at such a scheme. Suggested that he could possibly be asked to look at possible development of it. Various comments followed:
• The whole area is a minefield with so many different issues for wild venison.
• A test could possibly be conducted with 100 carcases with a qualified grader/assessor sampling these; then possibly repeating next year with a bigger sample.
• Could Phd student be invited to the next meeting to tell the group how the NZ grading scheme works, and then see whether this might be adapted to suit Scotland.
• Willie said that FC would not be able to support a 'grading' proposal, and that this skewed their cull system with the wrong animals being shot, with the best animals being shot and poorest left etc.

• Richard C said that grading could help educate the producer to deliver a better product, and that producers needed to be persuaded to think far more about venison as food rather than as a by-product
• Richard C said that possibly the game dealer's price structure could be adapted so that the best venison at the best time of year commanded the highest price. Christian said that Highland Game was already doing this.

Decided that Johnny extend invite to the student to attend next meeting.

4. Game dealer collection and storage initiative
Richard T reported on discussions that were ongoing with colleagues about possibility of main game dealers co-operating over collections and centralised storage.

With collection the biggest single cost at around 45p per kilo, this was for serious consideration. Current thinking is that collection could be undertaken by an independent company to which main dealers (and others?) could subscribe, collecting from all Scotland. Potential saving (to the producer?) of around 10p per kilo.

To be further developed.

5. Website
More news and stories required.

Christian sought confirmation that every good news and positive venison story should go on the website.

Richard T – Vintage Inns story, plus Vintage Inns listing on website. To be forwarded to Dick.

Christian – roe deer story focusing on why we sent all the best venison to Europe.

Dick advised that he had met with both Glengoyne and Justerini and Brooks with a view to seeking their support for the site. Also that new outlets and recipes were still coming on to the site at a steady trickle, but that recruitment effort was now being aimed only at Scotland and London and SE markets. To follow up.

6.1 Ardverikie event
Following previous discussion regarding an event aimed foremost at SQWV membership and other venison producers, Dick is developing a morning event centred on Ardverikie in conjunction with CNPA, SRPBA, possibly FC, and followed perhaps by an afternoon seminar for butchers. This would take place w/c 6 September, immediately after Scottish Venison Day, and during Scottish Food Fortnight, and could possibly flagged up on the SFF programme.

Dick meeting with Will, Willie, Drew (SRPBA) at Ardverikie on 4th June.

6.2 Taste Edinburgh
Decided that primarily due to lack of manpower it would not be possible to man a stand at the event this year.

6.3 Speciality and Fine Food Fair
While not physically or financially able to have a presence at this event this year, Dick keen to establish whether any Scottish Venison companies exhibiting might be able to 'fly the flag' for SVWG. Rannoch Smokery will be attending.

6.4 Scottish Food Fortnight
See 6.1 above re SFF event for SVWG.

6.5 Glen Tanar Venison event
More info required – Dick to find out more from Colin
Maclean.

7.

PR
Chef and media stalking visits
Dick advised re possible visits being planned in association with Yorkshire Game. [Note that following the meeting the intended visit for the Caprice Group chefs will now be to Innerhadden. Dick now to invite Sheila Dillon to day on Lude].

More opportunities for journalist days out to be sought – game dealers are key to this.

Scottish Venison Day – 4 September – pre publicity
Announcement regarding Scottish Venison Day in order to catch copy deadlines in glossy media will be issued in early June.

Scottish Venison Day – London
Opportunity with cookery school L'Atelier des Chefs. Rosemary to meet asap to develop plans for Friday 3 September involving cookery demos with Nichola.

Scottish Venison Day – Scotland
Dick has discussed holding SVD event at Glengoyne Distillery. Awaiting response. Dick to follow up.

Game On
More information on BASC website. Possible involvement.

Schools promotions
More events coming this year – two days in Buckie, followed by further day in Strathspey.

Willie requested supply of recipe cards and posters. Dick to take on Friday 4th. Also, Willie advised that FC larders could be made available for schools visits.

Johnny asked whether we could link into RHET for further opportunities to promote venison to schools.

BLAS Festival
Linzi advised this going forward as last year.

Best Venison Pie
Dick suggested there might be an opportunity (through butchers) to run competition to find the best venison pie. To discuss further with Bruce and SFMTA.

8. Funding and future funding
Stephen advised that SQWV could now be invoiced as before.

Dick to raise invoice for same amount as 2009 for SGDPA.

Dick to discuss suggested contribution from SGA with George.

Dick advised that with the above this would cover planned activity for 2010 to December.

Further discussion followed about levy proposal, and how to put the 1p/kilo into operation. Christian expressed concern that this might in fact be a disincentive for producers to do business with main game dealers who sign up to and collect the levy.

Agreed that a letter should go from Stephen (as Chairman of SQWV) or Robert (as Chairman ADMG) to all ADMG members advising that system was to be introduced.

Stephen also suggested a letter from all the four main game dealers signing up to the agreement. Also representation should be made to all other known/reputable game dealers to take part. Also representation to BDFA to contribute.

[Following meeting there have been further discussions that may alter approach as recorded above].

All agreed that it was important that a more secure method of finance for the Group must be achieved if the work of SVWG was to continue from 2011 and to match potential Government funding.

9. Other business
Ali Loder had advised that there would be a BDFA event at Beecraigs Farm, West Lothian on 25 August, and there was an opportunity for SVWG to be present. Decided that we should get involved with display and speaker if required. Dick to reply to Ali.

Willie said he thought that there had to be greater awareness of the work of SVWG among DMGs, and that there remained a lack of understanding at grass roots level of pricing, processing etc. In many cases there was little interest in what happened to their venison once it had been collected. Willie suggested that perhaps the new SNH deer team should take this forward.
Suggested that maybe short presentations to individual DMGs would be a good way forward.

10. Date of next meeting
Wednesday 30 June, 11.00am at DCS Stirling.