Who we are

Quality Meat Scotland (“QMS”, “us” or “we”) is the Data Controller over any personal data we process about you for the purposes set out in this Privacy Notice. QMS is committed to protecting your personal data and adheres to the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) when processing your personal data. This privacy notice outlines what personal data QMS collects from you through your interaction with our website https://qmscotland.co.uk/ or through your membership of the Cattle and Sheep Assurance Scheme (“the Scheme”) or otherwise through your engagement with us and the work that we do. This Notice also outlines how we use your data.

Please read through the privacy notice to understand how QMS uses and protects the information obtained from those visiting and using its website and by participating in the other services we provide. If you have any concerns about QMS’s processing of your personal data or you have a general enquiry in relation to data protection please contact our Data Protection Officer at info@qmscotland.co.uk using the heading “Data Protection” or by telephone + 44 (0) 131 510 7920.

Through accessing our website and/or submitting an enquiry through the websites you are consenting to the collection, retention and use of your personal information in accordance with the terms of this privacy notice.

What is personal data?

Personal Data: means any information relating to an identified or identifiable natural person (‘data subject’); an identifiable natural person is one who can be identified, directly or indirectly, in particular by reference to an identifier such as a name, an identification number, location data, an online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity of that natural person.

Special Category of Data: means personal data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, or trade union membership, and the processing of genetic data, biometric data for the purpose of uniquely identifying a natural person, data concerning health or data concerning a natural person’s sex life or sexual orientation.

When we use the term ‘personal data’ we mean both personal data and special category of data.

What personal data is QMS processing?

• Personal details (such as your name, e-mail address and telephone number) which you provide by submitting an enquiry via the website or when you sign up to QMS quality assurance Schemes or subscribe to our other services.
• How you use the website and any other information you post, e-mail or otherwise send to us.

IP addresses - we may collect information where available about your IP (internet protocol) address, operating system and browser type. This data provides us with information about users’ browsing actions and patterns. It is used to inform improvements to the website and for internal system administration.

Where did QMS obtain my personal data from?

The personal data (name, e-mail and telephone number) is gathered from the information you provide when you become a member of the Schemes, or subscribe to our other services or which you may input on the website’s enquiry page. IP addresses may be collected, where available, from data subjects when they access the QMS website. In some instances, we may gather information about you via third parties, for example Acoura, who act as our agents for the administration of the quality assurance schemes

Specific Assurance Scheme Privacy Notes

Privacy note for Auction Marts Assurance Scheme

Privacy note for Cattle and Sheep Scheme Group

Privacy note for Cattle and Sheep Scheme Individual

Privacy note for Feeds Assurance Scheme

Privacy note for Haulage Assurance Scheme

Privacy note for Pig Assurance Scheme

Privacy note for Processor Assurance Scheme

Does QMS use Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are stored on your computer or mobile device when you visit QMS’s website. They do not cause your computer any harm nor do they identify you personally, they only identify the computer being used to access the site. The cookies obtain information in relation to your use of the website. QMS uses this information to help us monitor the use of our website and be able to then provide you with a better user experience by remembering how you like things displayed, measuring how you use the website, ensuring the website works properly and improving navigation.

Where will QMS keep my data?

Your personal data will be stored on QMS’s secure server located in the UK.

Why is QMS processing my personal data?

QMS is processing your personal data for the purposes of supporting your membership of the Schemes or your subscription to our other services, responding to enquiries and/or sending you communications about events, activities or projects QMS is running or otherwise supporting which we believe would be of interest to you and consistent with the objectives of the Schemes and projects we run and support.

The reason we process the data we gather from you will differ according to the purpose or activity for which it was originally gathered. For example, we will process information regarding our Scheme members in order to fulfil the contractual obligations created by that Scheme and to ensure it is administered properly. We may also use personal data where it is necessary for our legitimate interests (or those of a third party) and your interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests. We may also use your data to comply with any legal obligation placed upon us.

In relation to IP addresses, we use this to inform improvements to the website and for internal system administration. By using the QMS website and providing your personal data via the enquiry page or otherwise through the website you are consenting to QMS processing your personal data for these purposes.

Will my personal data be shared with any other organisation/third parties and if so, why?

QMS will not share your personal data with any other organisation or third parties without seeking your prior consent. An exception to this would be where we are required to share your personal data in accordance with law or any regulatory requirement to which QMS is subject or where we are undergoing a corporate restructure.

Will my personal data be shared outside of the EEA?

It is not intended that QMS will share your personal data outside of the EEA without first seeking your prior consent.

Is my personal data safe?

QMS works hard to protect your personal data and ha adopted appropriate technical and organisational measures to keep it safe from unauthorised disclosure, alteration or destruction.

Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is not completely secure. Although we will do our best to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee the security of your personal data transmitted to QMS via the internet; any transmission is at your own risk.

How can I stop QMS using my personal data for marketing purposes if I no longer wish to receive communications from QMS?

If you no longer wish to receive communication from QMS via e.g. our regular newsletter, our Market Reports or Livestock+and would like your personal data removed from our database please e-mail our Communications Team on info@qmscotland.co.uk or telephone on + 44 (0) 131 510 7920.

What happens if I choose not to provide us with personal information or are unable to do so?

If you fail to provide certain types of personal information when requested, QMS may not be able to provide some of the services it has committed to with you and may not be able to fulfil certain legal or contractual obligations. If you are concerned about sharing data or unclear why it has been requested then please contact our Data Protection Officer at info@qmscotland.co.uk and they will do their best to clarify any request and provide the reassurance you require.

How long will QMS retain my personal data?

QMS will keep your personal data for no longer than is necessary for the purpose we obtained it for or until such time that you withdraw your consent and exercise your right to request that QMS stops processing your personal data.

Does QMS make any automated decisions about me or profile my personal data?

QMS does not make automated decisions about you and also does not profile your personal data.

What are my rights in relation to the personal data QMS holds about me?

We have summarised your rights below. Please contact our Data Protection Officer at info@qmscotland.co.uk to exercise these.

• If we are relying on your consent, you can withdraw your consent at any time, at which point we shall stop processing your personal data in that way. Please note this does not affect the legality of our processing up to the date of your withdrawal of consent.
• You can seek to restrict our processing of your personal data, ask us to rectify any personal data we hold about you or object to us processing your personal data for the purposes stated above.

• You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) if you think that we have infringed your rights. You can find more information about reporting a matter to the ICO at the following link: https://ico.org.uk/
• You have the right to access personal data held by us about you.
• In certain circumstances you have the right to ask us to provide you with your personal data in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format to allow you (or us on your behalf) to transmit this information to another party. More information can be found at https://ico.org.uk
• In certain circumstances you have the right to ask us to erase the personal data we hold about you. Such circumstances include (a) where we no longer need your personal data for the purposes set out above; (b) if you withdraw your consent to our processing; (c) if you object to our processing based on our legitimate interest and we have no overriding legitimate grounds to continue processing your personal data; (d) if we process the data unlawfully; or (e) where the personal data has to be erased to comply with legal obligation to which we are subject. We will consider any such request in line with GDPR. Please note this is not an absolute right and there may be circumstances where we choose not to delete all of the personal data we hold about you. More information about your right of erasure can be found at https://ico.org.uk

Third Party Links

QMS’s website may, from time to time, contain links to and from the websites of third parties. If you follow a link to any of these websites, please note that these websites and any services that may be accessible through them have their own privacy notices and that we do not accept any responsibility or liability for these notices or for any personal data that may be collected through these websites or services, such as contact and location data. Please check these notices before you submit any personal data to these websites or use these services.

Changes to Privacy Notice

We reserve the right to amend this privacy notice. However, any changes we may make to our privacy notice in the future will be communicated to you in some manner.

Contact Questions, comments and requests regarding this privacy notice are welcomed and should be addressed to: info@qmscotland.co.uk using the heading “Data Protection” or by telephoning us on + 44 (0) 131 510 7920. You can also write to the Data Protection Officer, Quality Meat Scotland, Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston, Newbridge, EH28 8NZ.