QMS Delays SPECC Update to Support Farmers Through Busy Spring

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is postponing the roll-out of the updated Scotch Potential Eligibility Cattle Checker (SPECC) until 31 July 2026.

The decision comes in recognition of the exceptionally busy spring period on farms, with lambing, calving and fieldwork already placing heavy demands on members. QMS wants to ensure the update doesn’t add unnecessary pressure at a time when workloads are at their peak.

QMS continues to monitor the business impacts of the planned SPECC changes and is working directly with members affected. Pressing pause now means everyone has the time needed to understand and prepare for the update well ahead of it going live.

As part of this pause, QMS will temporarily stop contacting affected members about the SPECC changes until Tuesday 5 May, when support activity will resume in the lead-up to the new July implementation date.

Kathryn Kerr, Head of Brands Integrity at Quality Meat Scotland, said: “We appreciate this time of year is particularly demanding for members, with many competing priorities on farm.

“After listening to their feedback, we have taken the decision to delay the SPECC update until 31 July 2026. This gives us more time to work closely with those affected and ensure their assured status remains uninterrupted when the changes go live.”

As per previous communications, it is important all members are aware of upcoming changes to SPECC. After 31^st July 2026, SPECC will no longer use additional holdings notified to QMS to confer SPE status on animals. ScotEID and QMS will contact members directly who this may affect, with necessary actions to take.

If you use additional holdings for grazing or wintering, you can register with ScotMoves - a handy online tool to record cattle movements between holdings without the need to update passports every time. Calves born on additional holdings can also be tagged with your main herd mark.

Get registered now to avoid delays! For help or to sign up, call 01466 794323 or email help@scoteid.com

For any quality assurance related queries, contact QMS at brandsintegrity@qmscotland.co.uk