
With 7 million hunters in the EU, hunting is a common activity across most European countries. However, there is limited scientific knowledge about the food safety of game meat and its production chain in Europe.
The COST Action “Safety in the Game Meat Chain” seeks to address these gaps using a transnational and multidisciplinary One-Health approach. This initiative will promote the exchange of experiences and ideas through networking, enhancing and harmonizing food safety standards within the growing European game meat market. The network will involve all key stakeholders along the game meat supply chain, examining the differences and similarities among European countries in hunting practices, education, game meat processing and inspection, trading, legislation, and consumption. This comprehensive investigation will cover all stages of the supply chain, from wild animals to consumers, summarized by the phrase “from forest to fork.” Special emphasis will be placed on identifying and assessing known and emerging chemical and biological risks that pose a threat to human health from game meat consumption, whether these risks are of regional, national, or global significance.
The overall goal of the network is to support informed decision-making in risk assessment, management, and communication related to game meat safety at regional, national, and international levels. By creating a comprehensive knowledge base and offering specific recommendations for action, the network aims to strengthen food safety and consumer protection throughout Europe.