Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) will be launching new standards for the Pig Assurance Scheme from May 1, 2023.
Forming a vital part of the Scottish red meat industry’s Quality Assurance Scheme, the updated standards will see some key changes, including mandatory training for those involved in the moving, handling and surrounding casualty management of pigs. The amendments also detailed the need for a greater emphasis on biosecurity, including the safer containment of fallen stock.
QMS’s head of brand integrity, Kathryn Kerr, explained that the review process was completed in partnership with key industry professionals, with members able to give feedback on the proposed changes prior to its completion. She said: “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.
“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.”
Details of, and reasons for, the additions and revisions to the Pig Assurance Scheme will be shared with members in the coming days, along with a full copy of the updated standards. They will also be available to view on the QMS website.