Catalonia promotes game meat consumption in response to the wild boar overpopulation emergency

The Catalan government has launched a plan to promote the consumption of game meat, with the aim of managing the overpopulation of wild boar and roe deer, which are linked to numerous traffic accidents, crop damage, and the potential spread of disease. This initiative not only focuses on wildlife control but also seeks to strengthen the local bioeconomy, adding economic value to a renewable natural resource.

This Thursday, the Department of Agriculture presented the new Game Meat Valorization Plan at the Osona School of Hospitality, located in Tona (Barcelona). The last hunting season in Catalonia yielded a total of 74,464 hunts in the region's forests, of which only 10% were used for local consumption. In response to this underutilization, the department has allocated an investment of €931,000 this year to improve both the marketing and management of catches, with a special focus on wild boar.

The regional ministry also seeks to change public perceptions of hunting, highlighting its role in the responsible management of species that, according to data from the Mossos d'Esquadra (Catalan police), are involved in one in three traffic accidents in Catalonia.

To promote consumption and raise awareness of the properties of game meat, the plan includes a series of training workshops at catering schools in Osona, Lleida, and Figueres (Girona), in addition to organizing culinary events dedicated to highlighting the culinary value of this product.

Finally, the Department of Agriculture is working to strengthen the infrastructure of game meat collection and processing centers, ensuring that the product meets hygiene and safety standards, especially for personal consumption.

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