Pasture to Plate

The deer industry’s DeerQA programme is based on this 'pasture to plate' concept, strengthening the quality links throughout the industry's value chain.

Facilitated by the Deer Industry New Zealand and managed under the DeerQA banner, the deer industry has established quality programmes at each point in this link. They are managed by Technical Committees, comprising representatives of the relevant sectors, which meet up to four times a year (depending on the stage of development of their particular programme) to review the programme and receive recommendations for amendments.

The Committees decide on updating their Industry Standards manuals and procedures based on feedback from assessors and auditors, farmers, venison processors and marketing representatives. The range of topics includes MAF issues, industry standards development, food safety, research and development recommendations and the overall programme’s integrity.