Game tags and ready-made forms for the examination of wild boar and badgers for trichinae and the traceability of hunted game

Game meat is a valuable foodstuff. Hygiene regulations are in place to ensure that no diseases are transmitted or caused by game meat. In principle, meat - as well as game meat - must be officially inspected and approved before being placed on the market as food.

However, there is an exception if, as is usually the case, the game is used as food for the hunter's own domestic consumption or is given to others as a "small quantity" (= a portion of a day's hunting) and no abnormalities have been detected.

Hunters must observe the game before killing it, e.g. to check for any abnormal behavior. After killing, the game must be checked for conspicuous characteristics that make the meat appear questionable for human consumption. If conspicuous characteristics are detected (e.g. behavioral disorders, conspicuous changes to the game or suspected environmental contamination), the carcass must be officially examined before further use as food. The veterinary office / food inspection authority must then be contacted for this purpose.

If no abnormalities are found, wild boar and badgers must be officially tested for Trichinella with a negative result before further use as food. The use of a game origin certificate and game tag is mandatory for the official Trichinella examination.

Certain animal species (wild boar, badgers) can be infected with Trichinella. The consumption of meat contaminated with trichinae can lead to serious illness in humans.

In order to submit a self-collected Trichinella sample to the competent veterinary office or food control authority, a game origin certificate including the assignment of a number by means of a game tag is mandatory. Trichinella samples may only be taken by hunters who can provide proof of the necessary official transfer. The date, time and place of the kill and the number of the game tag attached to the carcass are recorded. The results of the examination and any abnormalities are also noted on the game origin certificate.

An official game tag must be attached to the belly or ribcage to ensure the traceability of the game animal. Each game tag can only be used once. The tags can be closed without tools, but cannot be reopened without leaving visible damage. The tags are marked with an individual seven-digit number, which must be indicated on the game origin certificate.

The original of the game origin certificate is sent to the competent authority together with the Trichinella sample and remains there. A copy is attached to the game carcass at the time of marketing as proof of Trichinella sampling or post-mortem inspection. This is no longer required if game is sold in cuts to third parties. A copy of the game origin certificate remains with the hunter for two years for safekeeping.

Note

When selling larger quantities of game, it is mandatory to sell it to game processing plants or wholesalers. This game is subject to an official meat inspection. For this purpose, the game must be accompanied by a declaration which has been completed by a competent person and given a number. Game origin certificates and game tags can also be used for this declaration.