Whisky, meat & cheese

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 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.

“In a recent survey, 92% of shoppers agree that Scotch labels mean the meat is produced according to higher standards of animal welfare. With reassurance about the way animals are looked after becoming ever more important to consumers, confidence in these standards is essential to underpin the integrity of our premium Scotch brands.”

Before any changes are incorporated into the standards

Prestigious win for Waterford Distillery

Waterford Distillery, the world’s biggest producer of organic whisky, has won the prestigious Icons of Whisky ‘Distiller of the Year’ award for the second year running.

The judges highlighted the provenance at the core of Waterford’s production, its sustainability credentials and clear commitment to Irish barley, and local farmers as among the reasons for winning. The results of the Whisky Terroir Project’s first peer-reviewed academic study – led by Waterford – which provided conclusive proof of terroir’s influence on whisky, was also mentioned as an example of Waterford’s exception attention to detail.

From bartenders to distillers, the Icons of Whisky awards honour those who have worked tirelessly for the growth of the industry. They are designed to commend the best people,

World Cheese Awards: Parmigiano Reggiano is the most awarded cheese in the world

The international jury made up of 250 experts awarded Parmigiano Reggiano 126 medals, 7 of which were in the Super Gold category. Bertinelli: “We are going home with our heads held high after battling it out with 4,079 cheeses from 48 countries, leaving with a haul of 126 medals out of 174 competing entries.”

Parmigiano Reggiano has achieved its best ever result at the World Cheese Awards 2021, winning 126 medals. The World Cheese Awards is the most important cheese competition in the world, which took place in Oviedo, Spain this that underpin Scotland’s Quality Assurance Scheme, they are rigorously discussed and agreed by the committees which oversee the annual review process. Membership of the standards committee includes representatives from relevant areas across the industry.”

Members will receive a copy of the updated standards by post in the coming days. The standards are also available to view online by visiting the QMS website.

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