New
Standards are set to go live this spring, following an extensive review
by the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) Standards Setting Body for the Pig
Assurance Scheme.
Effective
from 1st May 2023, key changes to the scheme will see mandatory
training brought in for stockpersons involved in the moving, handling,
and surrounding casualty management of pigs. The review also outlined
the need for a greater emphasis on biosecurity, which includes the safer
containment of fallen stock.
The
Standards form an important part of the Scottish red meat industry’s
Quality Assurance Scheme – the longest established scheme of its kind in
the world. Reviewed biennially to ensure that producers are meeting
evolving supply chain demands, this year also saw a revision of the
standard setting process.
Kathryn Kerr, head of brands integrity at QMS, explained:
“Working in close collaboration with key industry stakeholders, the
review incorporated a new step whereby members were able to provide
direct and extensive feedback on the proposed changes, prior to being
signed off by the standard setting body.
“These
updated requirements are not intended to complicate farm business
operations, and instead provide practical and relevant measures to
protect the industry’s reputation at a time when consumers are demanding
greater transparency about how their food is produced.
Kathryn added:
“Here in Scotland, we are globally renowned for our high standards of
pig production, which not only grants animals the best possible quality
of life on farm and throughout the live supply chain, but guarantees the
finest product reaching the consumer’s plate.
“Quality
assurance is a backbone of the Specially Selected Pork brand, and
introducing even higher standards of production, assessed on farm by our
trusted partner Food Integrity Assurance (FIA), ensures that we can
continue to deliver robust and trusted marketing activity that offers
value for our levy payers.”
A
summary of the main additions and revisions to the Pig Assurance
Scheme, and why they were made, will be landing on member doorsteps in
the coming days alongside a full copy of the updated standards, three
months before they go live. They will also be available to view on the
QMS website.
For more information on the Quality Assurance Scheme and QMS brands, visit www.qmscotland.co.uk.