Selling game meat
Rules and requirements for selling game meat in Norway. What you can sell freely, when you need a field inspector, and how game processing facilities work.
Hunter sells to private individual
As a hunter you can freely sell whole or half carcasses directly to private individuals without any form of approval. This applies to all game you have harvested yourself. You need neither a field inspector nor an approved facility. The meat must be handled hygienically, and you should let the buyer know the species, when the animal was harvested and how the meat has been stored. Although it is not a formal requirement, it is good practice to document the sale with a simple receipt.
Hunter sells to retailer (shop or restaurant)
If you want to sell game meat to a shop, restaurant or other retailer, stricter requirements apply. The animal must have been inspected in the field by an approved field inspector, also known as a competent hunter. The field inspector examines the animal for signs of disease or abnormalities and issues a declaration that follows the carcass onward. Without this declaration the retailer cannot accept the meat. The meat must also be delivered through an approved game processing facility if it is to enter the retail market.
The field inspector system
A field inspector is a hunter who has completed the Norwegian Food Safety Authority's course in game inspection. The course qualifies you to assess the health condition of game in the field, and is a prerequisite for selling game meat to retailers. The system was introduced to ensure food safety throughout the value chain from field to consumer. To become a field inspector you must pass the course and register with the Food Safety Authority. The course covers topics such as anatomy, signs of disease, hygienic handling and regulations. Once you pass, you receive a certificate of competence valid throughout the country.
Game processing facilities
A game processing facility is a slaughterhouse approved by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority for receiving and processing game. The facility carries out meat inspection and ensures the meat meets the requirements for sale. Norway has around 90 approved facilities spread across the country. You can find your nearest facility in our overview of game processing facilities. The facilities accept whole carcasses and handle everything from skinning and butchering to chilling and packaging.
CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease)
Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), known in Norwegian as skrantesjuke, is a serious prion disease affecting cervids. In Norway you are required to report any animal showing symptoms such as emaciation, abnormal behavior or excessive drooling. When harvesting cervids in certain zones, sampling of brain tissue and lymph nodes may be required. The samples are sent to the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for analysis. The Food Safety Authority publishes updated maps of sampling zones and current rules. It is important to keep up with these requirements, as they can change from season to season.
Tips for selling game meat
Good meat quality starts with a clean, quick shot, rapid bleeding and cool storage. Make sure to document harvest data and storage conditions. If you sell to private individuals, it is a good idea to vacuum-pack the meat and label it with species, date and weight. Build a network of regular customers, and consider working with other hunters in your hunting team to ensure a steady supply. Set a fair price that reflects the work of butchering and processing. Remember that game meat is a first-class product, and many consumers greatly value local, sustainable meat.