Unauthorised use of veterinary drugs in red deer used for human consumption

The Food Standards Agency has become aware of an incident relating to red deer meat, originating from shoots of wild deer on an estate in Perthshire, Scotland.

A small number of deer had been tranquillised with the drug, Immobilon™, and revived with its antidote Revivon™ for herd management purposes. Whilst the use of these drugs is an acceptable and recognised practice in herd management, neither drug is authorised for use in animals destined for the food chain. Sale of meat from deer which have been injected with Immobilon™ and/or Revivon™ is therefore illegal.

Deer carcasses, destined for the food chain, to which these drugs have been administered, have been identified and their origin traced to Finnart Estate, Loch Rannoch, Perthshire. Finnart Estate has a stock of both wild and park deer, of which a small proportion had been drugged. Potentially affected carcasses from the Estate have unknowingly been processed at Pitlochry Game Services Ltd., Ferry Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5DD (licence 1186), since 11th August 2003. Since potentially contaminated meat could not be distinguished from other meat at the plant, it is essential that all red deer meat processed by the plant, from 11th August 2003, is withdrawn.

It has been identified that meat distributed from Pitlochry Game Services Ltd has been delivered to specific establishments in the UK (see annex for details).

Action to be taken by the Food Standards Agency
The Agency is to issue a Press Release on 16th October 2003.

Actions to be taken by local authorities (Note: this Food Hazard Warning is directed towards those Local Authorities detailed in the Annex. Remaining authorities are advised to note for information).

It has been identified that the potentially affected red deer meat has been distributed with other meat to establishments in the UK. Since the meat cannot be distinguished from other red deer meat distributed by Pitlochry Game Services Ltd, all red deer meat supplied by the company since 11th August 2003 must be withdrawn from sale and destroyed.

Meat derived from animals treated with Immobilon™ and Revivon™, does not comply with the food safety requirements specified in the Food Safety Act 1990.

The establishments, which may have received potentially affected red deer meat from Pitlochry Game Services Ltd, are listed in the attached Annex.

Local authorities are asked to ensure that the establishments listed in the annex are contacted to ensure that none of this meat is available for sale. If authorities become aware that any of these businesses have distributed the red deer meat beyond their local authority area they are requested to inform the Agency immediately.

Any potentially affected meat is to be considered an animal by-product and should be disposed of accordingly.

In addition, we recommend that authorities in which the outlets are located carry out local publicity through press releases, using the FSA press release as a template.

It is expected that action by Local Authorities will be initiated as soon as possible after receipt of this food hazard warning.

Affected local authority:
South Lakeland Council

Affected businesses in England:
Sillfield Farm
Endmoor
Kendal
Cumbria

Please note that the above businesses have not knowingly handled potentially affected meat.