food & drink Red meat industry group puts its steak in the ground on climate change Following COP26, the Scottish Red Meat Resilience Group (SRMRG) has published the sector’s position paper on mitigating climate change with a bold ambition to establish Scotland as one of the greenest red meat producers in the world. Our Steak in the Ground sets the foundations for the transformation of the industry, from producer to auctioneer, processor and transporter, to reach net zero by 2045. SRMRG, which was created to bring Scotland’s red meat supply chain together to work collaboratively and speak with one voice, has made five key pledges to support the sector to build long-term sustainability into businesses of every size and geographical
location by integrating best practice, breeding, innovation and technology. This will be followed by a formal roadmap for the industry to reach net zero targets, to be published in 2023. Kate Rowell, Chair of SRMRG as well as of Quality Meat Scotland, explains: “Scotland has the potential to be one of the most environmentally friendly red meat producers in the world but we all know there is work to be done. With SRMRG’s unique position looking both ways along the whole supply chain, we know that every business in the red meat sector is at a different stage on its environmental journey as well as the commercial realities we are working in. “We are also a very diverse sector - from hill farms to auction
markets and transport to technology – so it’s not a matter of changing a widget in a factory. It’s a longer process to make and instil change in the whole supply chain and to
see the results. Our pledge is to support businesses as the science, data and political demands evolve to meet their targets efficiently and significantly.”
Quality Meat Scotland updates Processor Assurance Scheme standards
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has revised its Processor Assurance Scheme Standards with changes, including new requirements on CCTV installation, updates on the traceability section and staff hygiene, clothing and PPE coming into effect from 1 January 2022. The standards, which have also been amended to be more user friendly with easy-to-read content clearly explaining each standard and its importance, are an important part of the Scottish red meat industry’s Quality Assurance Scheme - the longest 18
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established scheme of its kind in the world. Kathryn Kerr, Head of Brands Integrity at QMS commented: “The Processor Assurance Scheme is an essential element of QMS whole chain assurance which underpins the integrity of the Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected brands. The scheme provides reassurance to consumers of provenance, highest standards of production, animal welfare and wellbeing, to deliver a quality eating experience.
