Post-Brexit exports of game to the European Union

Time Well Spent June 15, 2022

BGA and St David’s Game Bird Services have agreed a working relationship with DEFRA to address post-Brexit export challenges faced by game dealers

The British Game Alliance and St David’s Game Bird Services have met with Defra to discuss problems occurring with post-Brexit exports of game to the European Union. We have agreed a close working relationship to address the problems being faced by game dealers and processors.

The BGA has heard from many BGA-registered processors that the paperwork now required for the export of game to Europe is being rejected at different stages in the export process, both in the UK and in Europe. St David’s have been working with their clients to help them overcome these difficulties.

The BGA has been in touch with the relevant Defra food and farming teams throughout the COVID crisis and Brexit preparations, and was able to convene an urgent meeting at short notice to discuss the situation, with Kenny Nutting representing St David’s to update us all on the situation on the ground. Defra have committed to review the paperwork and identify where the problems are occurring, whilst the BGA committed to source as much information as possible about why paperwork is being rejected. All agreed to stay in constant contact until the issues are resolved.

British Game Alliance CEO Liam Stokes said: ‘The export of British game into Europe is a key part of the game meat market, and there is clearly an issue. We now need everyone who has been experiencing problems to send us all the detail they can so we can work with our Defra partners to get this sorted. We are very grateful to Defra for their rapid response and their enthusiasm to help find a solution.’