Integrity & Assurance

To carry the Scottish red meat industry’s three premium brands, livestock must have been born, reared and slaughtered in Scotland and spent their entire life on QMS Assured holdings.

For Scotch red meat, the whole of life brand eligibility is delivered by a suite of assurance schemes, which can be found on this page. Whole chain assurance ensures that animals have the best possible quality of life on farms and throughout the live supply chain, resulting in the highest quality product reaching the consumer’s plate.

Whole chain assurance underpins the integrity of the Scotch premium brands and provides reassurance to consumers of provenance, highest standards of production, animal welfare and wellbeing, to deliver a quality eating experience.

For QMS Assurance Schemes, sustainability is about providing a credible and practical framework that support responsible food production in Scotland for our people, planet and place.

We define sustainability across three pillars: environmental responsibility (such as waste management, pasture management and reducing environmental impact where possible), high standards of animal health and welfare, and the economic and social resilience of rural businesses. Examples of standard requirements within this context include considered farm plans and supplier sourcing, carbon auditing and waste, farmyard manure and slurry management.

Our assurance scheme standards are evidence-based and independently assessed, ensuring that claims are measurable and transparent. We recognise that sustainability is not a fixed end point but an ongoing journey. By setting clear requirements and promoting continuous improvement, QMS Assurance Schemes help members demonstrate responsible practice today while supporting industry progress on climate, welfare, and efficiency.