35 Years of Quality Assurance: Reflecting on a Milestone Year for Scotland’s Red Meat Industry

By Kathryn Kerr, Head of Brands Integrity, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS)

This year marks a special milestone for QMS and the wider red meat industry – 35 years since Scotland first launched its pioneering Quality Assurance (QA) Scheme.

In 1990, Scotland introduced a pioneering assurance scheme for red meat production. It was a bold step built on a simple but powerful principle: to give consumers complete confidence in the quality, welfare, and provenance of Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork. Whole-of-life assurance for pigs was included from the outset, while cattle and sheep were brought into the scheme in July 2004, ensuring every animal was born and reared under the highest standards.

Fast forward 35 years, and that same commitment remains at the heart of everything we do. Today, over 9,000 members across the supply chain – including farmers, hauliers, feed suppliers, processors, and auction markets – operate under QMS Quality Assurance standards. These standards are recognised globally as a benchmark for best practice in animal welfare, food safety, traceability, and environmental responsibility.

Consumer research underlines just how central quality assurance and provenance are to purchasing decisions. Among all adults, 76–81% consider animal welfare, regional provenance, and QA schemes either important or most important when buying red meat, with similar trends for visible fat content and sustainability. These factors are even more critical for our target audience: conscious consumers place particular emphasis on provenance and quality assurance, highlighting the role these attributes play in shaping trust and preference for Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb, and Specially Selected Pork. This demonstrates that QA isn’t just a compliance measure – it forms a vital part of our marketing messaging and brand integrity.

Over the years, I’ve seen first-hand the pride our members take in being part of the scheme. Quality Assurance isn’t just about compliance – it’s about a shared commitment to doing things the right way, every day. That’s what keeps our Scotch brands trusted by consumers and respected around the world.

Our 35th anniversary has also been a year of progress and innovation. The QMS team has been busy behind the scenes, making our assurance schemes even more effective and easier to use.

The latest review of our Cattle & Sheep Assurance Scheme Standards has delivered one of the most significant updates in years. Coming into effect on 1 January 2026, the revised standards feature a 15% reduction in content through streamlining and removing duplication – all without compromising the rigour that underpins our brands.

Listening to our members was central to this process. Following a governance review in 2022, we introduced a new consultation stage, allowing members to review proposed changes before approval. Their feedback helped us improve clarity, strengthen traceability, and simplify health planning requirements – making the standards more practical and user-friendly for everyone.

Traceability has also taken a big step forward this year with the launch of the new QMS Traceability Checker, developed in partnership with ScotEID.

Replacing the older PGI Checker, the new system is web-based, refreshed daily, and works across all devices – providing faster, more reliable access to accurate data. It’s another example of how we’re using technology to make assurance simpler and strengthen trust in the Scotch brands.

We’ve also updated the Scotch Potential Eligibility Cattle Checker (SPECC) to align with ScotEID’s ScotMoves system, simplifying how additional holdings are recorded. These improvements are all about supporting members and ensuring transparency across the supply chain.

Later this year, we’ll begin a full review of the QMS Pig Assurance Scheme, giving members the opportunity to help shape the next generation of standards. Feedback is open until 7 November 2025, and we encourage all members to get involved.

As we celebrate 35 years of quality assurance, it’s clear that the strength of our schemes lies in the people behind them – our members, our partners, customers, consumers and the dedicated QMS team working every day to uphold Scotland’s reputation for world-class red meat.

There’s a lot going on across the organisation right now, and it’s exciting to see such collaboration, innovation, and progress as we look ahead. From evolving assurance standards to digital transformation, we’re continuing to build on a legacy of integrity and trust that began back in 1990.

Here’s to the next 35 years of doing things the right way – together.