Section 33 of The Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 requires that venison dealers in Scotland must be licensed. There is an application fee which must be paid at the time the application is made.
It is an offence for any person to sell, offer or expose for sale, venison unless they are a licensed venison dealer or is selling to or has purchased from a licensed venison dealer.
It is essentially the wholesalers who need to be licensed. In other words, every butcher and retailer in Scotland does not need a licence so long as the venison on sale has been purchased from a licensed dealer.
Licences are issued by the Council and are valid for three years. Licensed venison dealers must maintain records of purchases and receipts of venison which are open to inspection by Scottish Natural Heritage and any Police officer.
Venison dealers returns
Scottish Natural Heritage require all licensed venison dealers in Scotland to submit their records of all purchases and receipts of venison for the period 1 April to 31 March each year.
Applying for a licence
Download and complete a Venison Dealer Application Form (Word doc, 188 KB) and return to it to:
Food Law, Health and Safety Enforcement
Perth and Kinross Council
Council Building
2 High Street
Perth
PH1 5PH
You must include the application fee at the same time the application is made. The fee as at 1 April 2026 is £228.
Further information
For further information, contact Food Law, Health and Safety Enforcement on 01738 476476 or email FoodHealthSafety@pkc.gov.uk.
