Making a case for venison
ENVIRONMENTAL alarmists are spreading misinformation that is false, unscientific and unfounded.
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the EMS Foundation, an organisation developing strategies to provide sanctuary and land for indigenous wild animals, calls on government departments to ban the slaughter and eating of venison and its export.
There is a difference between bush meat, commonly used in Africa, and regulated venison production where venison refers to antelope.
The bush meat practice is largely unregulated, but is an important source of protein for millions of people. This bush meat is the utilisation of any animal, reptile, amphibian, insect, bird or primate.
The venison value chain in South Africa has no similarities to the rest of Africa and China’s bush meat usage. The venison supply chain is based on proper meat safety standards. The venison value chain was developed during two nationwide workshops. The proposed meat value chain was subsequently submitted to an independent socio-economic impact assessment by the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation.
The Constitution provides for sustainable utilisation of South Africa’s natural resources. The principle of sustainable utilisation is a thorn in the side of biocentric NGOs and is the smokescreen for banning venison.
Furthermore, the South African Veterinary Council’s portfolio for food safety and security has, in principle, supported the meat value chain.
The venison initiative will create 110 new processing plants by next year. This will increase to 300 plants by 2030. It will mainly strengthen the rural economies and be owned and managed by medium-sized enterprises.
The initiative will create a new market for game farmers through R650 million by next year and R7 200m by 2030. This represents sales of 180 000 animals a year by next year and 2 million by 2030. It is estimated to create 1 700 jobs by next year and 19 400 by 2030.
Meat safety and health of venison are not negotiable. It is regulated in accordance with the meat safety legislation. Further applicable are the traceability processes of the International Organisation for Standardisation.
Hygiene is of utmost importance and hunters also hunt for their own use on farms. Venison is healthier. The average saturated fat content of buck is only 2% compared to 14% of beef. It is estimated that beef from feed lots will have an even higher fat content.
Comparative studies between beef, mutton, chicken and venison have proved that venison consumption in terms of animal protein results in excellent health and immunity. The nutritional index has a scientific basis and would be the logical choice as an immune booster.
Hunting takes place in a “Covid-19 safe” environment (greater physical distance and avoidance of groups of people), in contrast to the abattoir environment. Other important points to consider are that the low pH of venison (based on scientific research) inhibits and even stops microgrowth, as well as the low incidence of diseases in wildlife.
Comparing the venison practice in South Africa with that of the rest of Africa, China, the Middle East is opportunistic by environmental alarmists. The principle of sustainable utilisation, as in the Constitution, is the real target of the biocentric organisations.