QMS: Reduction in Red Meat Production Costs

SCOTLAND - Quality Meat Scotland is reducing costs in the red meat supply chain after brokering a new deal for processors.
calendar icon 8 October 2008
clock icon 3 minute read

Meat processors will have significantly lower assurance fees this year following the appointment of a new assessing body.

The PAI group was earlier this year selected to run the scheme for processing plants for the next three years following a competitive tender, which has allowed QMS to bring the fees back to a more comparable level with the other schemes.

The scheme covers 29 plants throughout Scotland and is an integral part of Scotland’s whole chain assurance scheme.

For the processors it has been business as usual with the appointment of the new contractor, they continue to receive three full-day inspections per year and the same high standards will ensure Scotland’s scheme remains a world leader in red meat assurance.

QMS Industry Development manager, Andy McGowan, said: “QMS is always striving to ensure the best value in the assurance scheme. The latest round of tenders has ensured that we have been able to get the best available deal for our assurance members, and also saw a drop in fees for the pig scheme.

“Membership fees reflect only the running costs of each scheme. The new contract with PAI has enabled us to reduce the fee for processors to a level that is more comparable to the other assurance schemes, and we hope this will act as an incentive to get smaller processors on board.“

Paul Wright, Managing Director of PAI said, “As leaders in farm assurance and food chain integrity, PAI are delighted to be able to provide a service that will help to safeguard the international reputation of Quality Meat Scotland.

“We scored highly by combining cost efficiencies with a thorough understanding of the meat processing businesses.“

PAI now operate the processor scheme, the other five schemes continue to be operated by SFQC.

Further Reading

- You can find out more information about the QMS assurance schemes by clicking here.

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