Beyond the Hunt: Ethical Issues and Food Safety in Game Meat Consumption

Dear Colleagues,

Game meat consumption—that is, humans consuming meat from wild animal species—is increasingly becoming a significant aspect of global food systems, particularly in regions where wildlife resources are abundant. In an era of growing concerns about both wildlife conservation and zoonotic disease spillover risk, the surge in game meat consumption presents unique ethical challenges and food safety concerns that require comprehensive exploration. Interesting ethical questions arise over production methods, i.e., wildlife management and harvesting practices and their relation to animal welfare, which in turn has implications for both the nutritional quality and safety of the meat. Further integrity and food safety issues arise as harvested game meat moves along supply chains. Understanding these issues is crucial for ensuring sustainable practices, enhancing food security, and protecting both human and animal health. This Special Issue aims to address these critical aspects by delving into the ethical considerations and food safety measures within the game meat value chain.

This Special Issue seeks to explore the multifaceted ethical and safety dimensions of game meat consumption, including production methods and the One Health approach. The focus is on integrating local value chains to enhance sustainability and economic opportunities for communities involved in wildlife economies. By bringing together research and insights from various disciplines, the Special Issue will contribute to the ongoing discourse on ethical wildlife management, sustainable food practices, and public health safety. The scope aligns with the journal's commitment to advancing knowledge in food safety, ethics, and sustainability.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Ethical considerations in game meat production (including management and hunting/harvesting practices) and consumption;
• Wildness and animal welfare as factors in game meat production ethics, nutritional health, and food safety;
• Food safety protocols and challenges in the game meat industry;
• Integration of local value chains in wildlife economies;
• Sustainable practices in game meat production;
• Socioeconomic impacts of wildlife economies on local communities;
• Policy and regulatory frameworks for game meat safety and ethics;
• Technological innovations in tracking and ensuring game meat safety;
• Case studies of successful value chain integration in wildlife economies;
• Consumer perceptions and behavior towards game meat.

Dr. Michael 't Sas-Rolfes
Dr. Ndlovu Wiseman
Prof. Dr. Louwrens Christiaan Hoffman
Guest Editors

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