Lewes District Council

Game (food) Licence

Anyone wishing to deal in game must first obtain a game dealer's licence. They are issued by us for free and are renewable annually.

The Game Act 1831 controls people buying and selling game for wholesale and retail. In this, game is defined as hares, pheasants, partridges, grouse, heath or moor game and black game.

The Game Licences Act 1860 extends this definition to include woodcock, snipe, rabbit and deer.

Licensing dealers

There is no fee charged for issuing a licence. Upon receipt of a completed application form, an Environmental Health Officer will assess it and make their recommendation.

If approved the licence will be sent to you along with a copy of the conditions that may be attached. These will be explained at the time and must be adhered to.

Licences are renewable annually on 1st July and a letter and renewal form will be sent prior to expiry. In addition to deal in game you should also apply for an excise licence available from the Post Office.

Companies trading in partnership require only one licence for the same premises.

Licences may not be granted to grocers, owners or drivers of delivery vehicles
and retail premises selling beer. Inn keepers and tavern keepers can not be licensed but may sell game for consumption on their own premises provided it is acquired from the holder of a licence.

Purchase and sale

A licensed game dealer and their employees may buy game from any person who may lawfully sell it. They may sell game on their own account or on account of another licence holder at one house, shop or stall only.

A board must be displayed on the front of the premises containing the full name of the licence holder and the words "licensed to sell game".

Hare killed under the authority of the Ground Game Act 1880 S4 may be sold without a licence by the occupier of the land on which they are killed.

Offences

It is an offence for any person to sell game or offer game for sale in contravention of the Game Act. This includes anyone falsely assuming to be a licence holder. Careful note should be taken of the possible offences.

Buying or selling any bird of game, other than foreign game imported dead, after 10 days from the day on which it became unlawful to kill such a bird.

The buying or selling of live birds for rearing or exhibition purposes or for sale alive is excluded from this prohibition.

It should be noted that if the holder of a Local Authority licence is convicted of any offence under the Act, the licence will become null and void.

Do It Online

Report It

Apply For It

Find It

Pay It

Have Your Say

Search the site

Contact Us

Game (food) Licence

Licensing dealers

Purchase and sale

Offences