UK venues replace beef with venison to cut emissions, citing sustainability and high beef costs.

Venison is replacing beef on UK menus from stadiums to schools, driven by environmental concerns and rising beef prices. Catering firm Levy UK has launched wild venison burgers at over 20 venues, citing up to 85% lower carbon emissions than beef. The UK’s deer population has grown to two million, prompting culling to manage ecological impact, with venison sourced from professionally managed hunts. Levy aims to replace 54 tonnes of beef annually, potentially saving 1,182 tonnes of CO₂, using eco-friendly packaging and full-animal utilization. While some embrace the shift for sustainability, others remain hesitant due to taste or perception, and experts caution venison alone cannot meet global meat demand.