Quality Assurance

The Auction Market & Collection Centre Assurance Scheme is an essential element in the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) ‘whole chain’ consumer assurance programme.

Approved members of the Auction Market & Collection Centre Assurance Scheme handle and trade the cattle, sheep and pigs which are destined for the Scotch Beef UKGI, Scotch Lamb UKGI and Specially Selected Pork brands. Auction markets and collection centres play a key role in minimising the stress involved to the livestock which are traded through their system. In conjunction with the other QMS whole chain assurance schemes, specific codes of practice for handling and selling of livestock have been developed.

Animal welfare and wellbeing are of paramount importance in ensuring the highest product quality. The QMS Animal Welfare and Wellbeing Charter recognises the five freedoms of animal welfare and wellbeing and is a guiding principle for all QMS assurance schemes, which are supported and approved by the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Scottish SPCA), Scotland’s independent animal welfare charity.

The Auction Market & Collection Centre Assurance Scheme is owned by QMS who have contracted Food Integrity Assurance, an independent inspection and certification company, to carry out the required farm assessments in order to certify and approve scheme members.