Cabinet Secretary Meeting

Concern 1% tolerance for cross species carry over in products. Currently no evidence in Scotland of manufacturers being implicated. Precautionary approach.

FSAS Director Charles Milne gave information as an overview. Two strands of investigation both outside U.k
1. Irish survey 10 positives, 23 of 27 porcine DNA. Tesco Ireland had biggest DNA at 29%. Huge number of businesses under investigation
2. French company with 100% supplying 16 member states. Serious fraud being investigated accordingly.
No deliberate wrong doing in the U.k

Turn up three issues
Fraud – undermines confidence in the whole industry
Concerns over residues of medicines
Not issue because Irish products tested and all negative. French tests expected later this week. Even if there was a problem chances of a dose in the small amount of horse meat would be extremely low. Many frozen and cuts out the problem as well. If test results Flagg up public health concerns that changes the dynamics.

Second issue is traces in products. Single strands can now be identified and inevitable of a degree of presence. Flour has tolerance for insect and mouse.

Prison service reported pork in halal lamb. For some faiths including Hindus not wanting beef in product.

What have we done? The Food Standards Agency have taken the following steps
Authenticity programme from Feb through to April across the board testing. Includes two local authorities in Scotland.
Secondly producers and retailers who have the legal responsibility have to undertake testing by Friday 15th February.
Also testing for Phenylbutazone. From today horsemeat needs a positive test before release from UK abattoirs.

In Scotland LA must now visit every premises producing meat products. Check no contact with businesses involved with the supply of the horse meat already identified.
Assurances have been sought from those supplying public institutions.

Consultation on Food Labelling is currently out and responses needed by 11th March.

UK meeting on Monday at noon had accepted 1% tolerance. Needs a mature understanding since the propensity to fail is greater at the small producer level.

JM pointed out trace v intentional substitution. Immediate concern presence of horse DNA – what is it? Seeking imported meat products to be removed from the shelves.
QMS stressed that consumers do not have a clarity in understanding between Scotch and Scottish. Could be a problem of our own making. Feel that brand is not used enough and this could be the wake up call. Halo effect is good but a saltire would not demonstrate any assurance.

Retailers want to get as far away from the problem as possible. Due diligence has been put forward as a defence. No equine authenticity has been going on. Question what has caused this corner cutting but needs a proactive view to support Scottish supply chain. Frozen meat imported because of cost. There are commercial drivers.

Trace contamination reporting will be down anonymously.
Craig Brown reported LA are finding good levels of compliance. No gross contamination or evidence of fraudulent practices.

Messages out to public by the end of the month. Results will be for DNA and not for connective tissue or other parts. Risk assessment for Phenylbutazone suggests freezing and cooking reduces the risk.

More bad news Owen Paterson was viewed as not helpful statement.

Scottish response – short supply chain is important.
Requires meeting with the supermarkets in Scotland.
Precautionary role in Scotland, inspection of meat processors.
Will look at how to take the message forward best in Scotland.
Use the taste you can trust.
Need all to communicate the same message amongst ourselves.

Thoughts: Promotion for butchers should now include

Short food chain
Trust
Integrity
Provenance
Traceability
Assurance
Local
Passionate
Specialised suppliers
Make their own meat products from the same meat that they slice or cut into steaks
Same goes for any ready meals
Quality from Scotland is unique