MEAT INSPECTION - A FOREIGN WORD FOR HUNTERS AND HUNTING GROUND OWNERS

In the Federal Republic of Germany, non-captive haired game animals have been subject to the official meat inspection since 1981. An exception is only possible in those cases where macroscopic findings do not indicate any disease and the animal is not marketed via ground owner or the hunter, respectively. Both are, however, rarely capable of a proper interpretation due to traditional factors and inadequate training regarding meat inspection. A review of 1990/91 figures shows that only a minor percentage of game animals underwent meat inspection. Some examples show that besides hunters, even veterinarians in meat inspection have difficulties to translate respective legislation into action.