Summary
Harris Interactive Ltd
Pickering, M ; Lawrence, J
The aim of this project was to identify high-level consumers of lead-shot wild-game meat in Scotland and to investigate consumption habits and behaviours of these consumers.
This research has shown that half of the respondents (51%) eat lead-shot game at least once a week during the main shooting season, and a fifth of participants (21%) consume lead-shot game at least once a week out of the main shooting season.
The majority of respondents (85%) considered wild-game meat to be suitable and safe for all members of the household to eat, including children and the elderly, however, the levels of consumption were lower for children under 5 years old and adults between 65 and 74 (23 and 18% decrease, respectively).
Lead shot is not often found in wild-game meat, with the majority of respondents stating that they find a piece of lead-shot only occasionally (28-30%), rarely (33-35%) or never (14-22%). Overall, the project has provided valuable data on habits and behaviours of high-level consumers of lead-shot wild-game meat. This data has been used to assess whether levels of consumptions of lead-shot wild-game meat are likely to pose risk to consumers, due to exposure to lead, and to develop targeted advice.
Project Code: FS421005