Scottish Pig Producers Rise to the FCI Challenge

Scottish pig producers were brought down to earth with a bang in the New Year with the introduction of the EU's new Food Chain Information requirements.
calendar icon 10 January 2008
clock icon 2 minute read

However, according to Quality Meat Scotland, which alongside abattoirs and marketing groups is helping the pig sector meet the challenging new demands, the industry has moved quickly and efficiently to comply.

QMS Industry Development Manager Andy McGowan said: "This EU regulation increases the amount of information that must accompany each batch of pigs before they are accepted for slaughter.

"On average, 80 batches are sent from farms around Scotland each day so that gives an idea of the scale of the new requirements on the industry.

"However, the regulations do have their plus points. The Meat Hygiene Service will be providing much better feedback of information to farmers in a user-friendly format after the pigs have been slaughtered, about the type and costs of condemnations and other quality problems.

"This kind of information is very useful and it can help producers make adjustments to maximise values that may help them during what is a particularly difficult time for the industry as far as business profitability is concerned."

Considerable efforts by the abattoirs, marketing groups and QMS meant that there were no problems with the first shipments of pigs delivered in the New Year.

Further Reading

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