A MAJOR shake-up of the game laws, which will see the scrapping of game dealers' licences and permit game and venison to be sold all year round, comes into force on August 1.

Steward Scull, head of gamekeeping and game shooting, for the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, said: "This is fantastic news for everyone who shoots game and those who deal in game. Game shooting has changed dramatically since the game laws were first enacted in the 19th century, so it is only right that the laws are updated for the 21st century."

n Game meat sales soared 46 per cent between 2004 and 2006, to reach £57m last year. Red meat and poultry markets only grew by five per cent over the same period.