Game Dealing
The Regulatory Reform (Game) Order came into effect on 1st August 2007.
There is no longer a requirement to obtain a game licence to kill or take game nor to obtain a Local Authority Licence and an Excise Licence to deal in game.
This order amends the Game Act 1831 & The Deer Act 1991 and repeals the Game Licences Act 1860. The result of this Order is to:
Remove the requirement to hold a game licence in order to take or kill game.
Remove the requirement to hold a local authority licence and an excise licence (dealing licences) in order to deal in game.
To remove the restrictions on dealing in game birds and venison during the close season, permitting game to be sold by everyone all year round provided that the animals in question were only killed during the open season.
If you deal in game birds or venison, you should check your source before offering or exposing for sale, possess or transport for the purposes of sale. If you know or have reason to believe that the game bird or venison you offer for sale was unlawfully killed, taken or poached during the close season you may be committing an offence.
Records relating to the sale of and purchase of venison will be required to the level of EC Regulation 178/2002.