Farmed deer and venison production has grown steadily across the UK, and like any livestock enterprise it generates fallen stock and animal by-products that must be handled under the ABP framework. Martlands provides licensed deer farm fallen stock and ABP collection within our wider fallen stock and ABP collection service, operating from our family-run, DEFRA-approved facility in Burscough, Lancashire. Whether you run a small park herd or a commercial venison operation, the regulations are the same and we make meeting them straightforward.
Fallen Deer Are Subject to the Same Rules
A deer that dies on a farm is fallen stock in exactly the way a cow or sheep is, and the same prohibition on burial and burning applies. Deer farming brings its own practical wrinkles, because animals are often kept on large, extensive ranges where a death may not be discovered immediately, and the nervous nature of farmed deer can make handling and recovery more demanding than with more docile stock. Prompt discovery and prompt collection are therefore particularly important, both for compliance and to limit the time a carcass sits attracting scavengers on open ground.
Understanding the By-Product Streams
Deer farming produces more than just occasional fallen stock. On-farm slaughter, larder dressing and venison processing generate by-products too. Trimmings, hides, heads and offal arising from animals that have passed inspection and entered the food chain are typically Category 3 material, while animals that died on farm rather than being slaughtered for consumption sit higher up the risk scale. Knowing which stream a given by-product falls into determines how it must be stored, documented and collected, and we can advise on the correct handling for each. Our Category 3 ABP collection service covers the lower-risk processing by-products, while fallen animals are handled through our dedicated farm and fallen stock collection service.
Storage on Extensive Holdings
Deer ranges are often large and remote, so having a sensible storage point near an accessible track makes collection far more efficient. A leak-proof, covered container on hardstanding at a point our vehicles can reach saves time and keeps carcasses away from the live herd. For larder by-products, chilled storage is the norm and keeps Category 3 material in good condition until collection.
Documentation and Assurance
Every collection generates the Commercial Document and Waste Transfer Note that prove correct disposal, which matters for any venison enterprise selling into the food chain or operating under assurance arrangements. As a holder of all three ABP category licences and an NFSCO member, Martlands can handle every by-product stream a deer farm produces under one compliant arrangement.
Coverage Across Upland and Border Country
Deer farms frequently sit in upland and border areas, and our reach extends well into Wales and the western counties. Producers can read about our North Wales fallen stock collection coverage, while those in the Marches and border country can see our Shropshire fallen stock collection service. Our rapid-response fleet is built for exactly the kind of access these holdings demand.
Handling the Autumn Cull and Rutting Losses
Deer farming has a pronounced seasonal rhythm, with a culling peak in autumn and a spike in injuries and losses around the rut as stags compete. These are precisely the periods when a reliable collection arrangement earns its keep, because losses cluster rather than spread evenly through the year. Planning for those peaks in advance, with adequate storage and an agreed collection response, means a busy autumn does not leave carcasses accumulating on the range. We can scale our service to match the seasonal pattern of a deer enterprise rather than imposing a rigid year-round schedule that does not fit how the herd actually loses stock.
Setting Up Your Arrangement
Deer and venison producers benefit from a collector that understands both fallen stock and the processing by-product streams, and can keep the documentation consistent across both. To arrange compliant collection tailored to your herd and your larder, call Martlands on 01704 776977 and we will design a service around your holding.
