CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 15TH OCTOBER 2021

Covid Update

The UK government has announced a package of measures to support the pig industry, including private storage aid and new temporary butchers' visas.

The government said that the new measures “come in recognition of the unique temporary circumstances farmers are facing, brought about by the global economy responding to the impacts of the pandemic and the global pressures facing supply chains worldwide.”
Until 31st December, up to 800 pork butchers will be eligible to apply for visas from the existing allocation in the Seasonal Workers Pilot Scheme, allowing them to travel and work in the UK for a period of 6 months. The government said that this temporary adjustment is in addition to foreign butchers already being eligible since December 2020 to apply to come to the UK through the Skilled Worker Route as part of the point-based immigration system.
As part of the announcement, the government said that the measures were “only temporary”, and that it expects the pork sector to encourage better training offers, career options and wage increases to ensure that the industry draws on the large domestic labour pool in the UK, as well as investing in technology across the industry.
Other proposals included within the package of measures are:
• Working with industry to introduce processing of animals on Saturdays and longer working days where possible
• Funding a private storage aid scheme in England which will enable meat processors to store slaughtered pigs for three to six months so that they can be preserved safely and processed at a later date
• Working with AHDB to support the establishments that have been delisted by China and to identify other export markets for pork
• Supporting processors and the consumption of a variety of cuts of domestically produced pork by engaging with retailers and food service sectors.
In support of pig producers in England and Scotland, the two meat levy bodies have also announced a pork levy holiday – suspending payments of the levy pig farmers and producers are required to pay for November 2021. According to the government, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) took the decision in response to the continued build-up of pigs on farm, falling prices and high production costs.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will take place at The Landmark Hotel, Kingsway West, Dundee on Wednesday 24th November. Presentation will be from The National Craft Butchers on the UK Butchers survey, Alan Clarke, Chief Executive, Quality Meat Scotland. Gary McLean, Scottish National Chef will present the Training Awards and President Tom Courts will address the members.

Scottish Craft Butchers Awards

The Beef Link Sausage, Black Pudding and Beef Slice Sausage competitions take place on the 4th November 2021 at Forth Valley College, Stirling.
We thank our sponsors Scobiesdirect.com, Scotweigh and Lucas Ingredients.

Entry forms were issued with the last two newsletters and links to the stories are below.

Entries deadline 22nd November 2021
https://craftbutchers.co.uk/story.php?t=2022_BEEF_LINK_SAUSAGE_CHAMPIONSHIP&ID=2671
https://craftbutchers.co.uk/story.php?t=2022_BLACK_PUDDING_CHAMPIONSHIP&ID=2672
https://craftbutchers.co.uk/story.php?t=2022_TRADITIONAL_BEEF_SLICE_SAUSAGE_CHAMPIONSHIP&ID=2673
Extra Mile Award 2021
Scottish Craft Butchers and The Scotch Butchers Club are delighted to announce that nominations for the annual training awards are now open!

It is definitely worth submitting a nomination form. The benefits of winning a Craft Butcher Training award can last a lifetime.
Entries to be submitted by the 29th October 2021.

Your customer could win a £100 voucher to spend in your butcher's shop.

The presentation of the awards will take place after business at the AGM of the Scottish Craft Butchers on Wednesday 24th November 2021 in Dundee.

The “Extra Mile Award” has a cash prize for the winner and a shop voucher for the customer who makes the best nomination.
Online entries can be submitted in the link below. There are also printable entry forms and a poster you can print out and display on the premises.

https://craftbutchers.co.uk/story.php?t=Scottish_Craft_Butchers_Extra_Mile_Award_2021&ID=2656

Sustainable Food Production – https://reviewframe.com/collab/view/id/89
Quality – https://reviewframe.com/collab/view/id/90
Food Manufacturing Excellence – https://reviewframe.com/collab/view/id/91
If you would like further details or to discuss the consultation, please contact Matt Hardy, Qualifications and Assessment Manager at NSAFD – [email protected]

Butcher Shop of the Year Awards 2022

We want to hear from you! The Butcher's Shop of the Year Awards honour and recognise excellence and innovation. You have a fantastic opportunity to display your company credentials, quality products, artisan knowledge, and support for the local community and agricultural landscape by entering the awards.
There are 11 categories to enter – and we guarantee that there will be a match among them for your location and business model. The Awards provide a national platform for positive media attention – whether a family run independent butchers in a rural location, or a chain of outlets.
It's now your turn to show why you're a cut above the rest!

Entry deadline: Tuesday 30 November

Entry Fee: £35 + VAT

Scotch Pie Awards open for entries

The World Championship Scotch Pie Awards 2022 are now open for entries.
Scottish Craft Butchers members have been very successful in the past in the various categories. Indeed, the Champion of Champions Scotch Pie title went to our own James Pirie and Son in Newtyle earlier this year.

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES 31 OCTOBER 2021

The link to the entry form and rules is below

https://worldchampionshipscotchpieawards.org/competition.php

Update to e-mail contact details

As we have now completed the process of changing the name of the organisation to “Scottish Craft Butchers” we have also taken to opportunity to change our e-mail addresses to reflect this.
Please note the new e-mail contact details for Gordon and Bruce below.
Our mobile numbers remain the same.

Gordon King: [email protected] 07917524313
Bruce McCall: [email protected] 07834490922

The Scottish Craft Butchers office in Perth is staffed every weekday.

We will be available to our members to answer any queries via email or by mobile phone
and will be available out of office hours for any members wanting to contact us.