Apparently DSC1 is to be considered acceptable training for selling venison to licensed dealer post new food hygiene rules Jan 06.
You might also have to sign a declaration to have read appropriate booklet (yet to be published by FSA. However save your money we dont need to go on new course.

Great news - one less required course to pay for!

Rgds Ian

Trans-pond,

Can I ask where did you heard that?

According to a letter I recieved from BASC last week, they are still gearing up to provide an additional one day's training.... with an expected fee of £120 I might add..I called BASC to ask for more details and I understood this one days training would be an additional requirement for current DCS1 holders, but future DSC 1 training would be modified to include it..

In fairness the person did also say that none of this had been finalised with the powers-that-be, so maybe its been changed?

Regards,

Pete

Trust me, Pete.... I'm a farmer! Got it off the computer!
BASC found out on Friday- came from a press release- S.Clarke -press office; also confirm with Andrew Hoon.

Trans-pond,

Thats great news...its nice to see a touch of common sense prevail in these red tape issues..

I wonder how the chicken kickers are going to fair? With pheasants only bringing pence a brace by mid season, it seems a bit much that small DIY syndicate with have to pay to put one or two people through such a course..

Regards,

Pete

End of the day its MONEY and more MONEY for Basc BDS and defra,

I'm dreaming right?

If I have got this right and it all comes true, then in order to comply with new legislation I do not have to jump through any more hoops.

I am already qualified for some thing that is yet to happen?

I'm dreaming right?

John

I read in Shooting Times a few weeks ago that because the legislation talks about "competent person" that DSC1 should cover it. I reckon the BASC and all the other organisations will try to con us into thinking that we have to take their course as it will be a good money spinner for them. The definative answer will be in the final legislation when its published. (Or is it published already - I must look it up)

I opened my letters today & found I had some paperwork and forms through from BASC for this new one day course...No mention at all that as a DSC1 holder I don't need it..I wonder how BASC are going to play this?

Shooter 451,

As I understand it, the debate centered on what LANTRA and DEFRA thought constituted a "competent person" and whether the contents of existing DCS 1 training would meet their requirements...

Call me cynical, but I some how can't imagine BASC resisting any additional training requirement when they knew they would probably be delivering it and hence making money from it..

Regards,

Pete

Ok I've found it. The Food Standards guidance document relating to all this can be found at http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/wildgameguide.pdf although I havent read the actual EU regulation which comes into force 1st Jan 2006 (Regulation EC No 852/2004 and 853/2004 if your interested).

Basically it says that the onus is on the "Game Handling Establishment" (i.e the game dealer) to satisfy them selves that their suppliers are suitably trained. It then goes on about a "Trained Person" will have knowlege of anatomy, pathology, hygiene & legislation etc.

It then says that the industry (i.e. LANTRA) have drawn up a set of "National Occupational Standards" approved by the "Competent Authority" (whoever they are) and agreed that the "Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) is the most appropriate and robust qualification to demonstrate that an individual has the necessary knowledge required". However it also says that the VRQ is not the only way to demonstrate a "trained person" has the neccessary knolwege.

So to summarise you dont have to have any qualification to be a "trained person" only the necessary knowledge BUT because the legilation puts the onus on the game dealer to satisfy him self that the meat came from a "trained person" he will most likely want to see a certificate from you that is recongnised by the regulators.

...They dont make it easy for us do they!