Deer Processor's Licence

Anyone in Nova Scotia who wants to engage in the business of slaughtering deer and the processing of venison, velvet and other deer farm products, for wholesale and/or retail markets.

Note: this licence covers only four deer species: elk, red deer, sika deer and fallow deer.

Department of Agriculture

An application form can be obtained from the Food Safety Section of the Department of Agriculture. When completed, it is submitted to the department.

If all requirements are met and the application is approved, the licence will be sent to the processor by mail.

10 business days

Provided that all the items that must accompany the application have been received.

This licence is valid for a given calendar year. It is renewable and the renewal time is 1 January. The department will send a renewal form to the licence holder before the licence expires.

Application Fee: 124.57 plus HST 

Facilities and premises: Licensed Deer Processors must meet the minimum inspection standards of the provincial meat inspection program (for more information, refer to the Meat Slaughtering and Processing Licence webpage). 

Licensed Deer Processors must keep an accurate inventory of animals slaughtered and processed, and sale of product. Copies of inventory may be requested by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources.

The processing plant itself must be licensed prior to issuing a Deer Processing License.

Wildlife Act, Revised Statutes of Nova Scotia, 1989, Chapter 504, Section 113.