Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has increased its focus on quality assurance with the appointment of animal science graduate, Jill Hunter, to the new role of assurance advisor.
The key task for Ms Hunter (pictured above), whose family farms in Perthshire, will be to provide an advisory and liaison service to members of the six QMS quality assurance schemes, including the one which underpins the organisation’s Specially Selected Pork (SSP) brand.
Her work will include hosting advisory clinics and attending agricultural events to meet existing and prospective members, providing an opportunity for farmers and others in the industry to find out more about how the schemes work and the benefits of membership.
“Following last year’s successful recruitment of over 600 members into our cattle & sheep scheme alone, Jill will be working to further increase the number of businesses which benefit from being members of our quality assurance schemes,” said QMS brands integrity manager, Suzanne Woodman.
“These schemes are fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and SSP while the importance of quality assurance to consumers continues to grow and is a crucial aspect of the long-term sustainability of the Scottish meat industry.”