CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 8TH OCTOBER 2021

Covid Update

Local Authorities have begun a resumption of programmed visits and inspections.
LAs are returning to programmed official controls with caveats. There are continuing COVID demands and protocols to be followed.
Some local authorities have deferred restart until October.
There is currently a review underway of numbers and requirements on LAs EHOs to identify gaps and difficulties in delivery.
This morning the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee agreed to send out information soon to food business owners as a guide on what to expect when an EHO visits your premises. This will also be sent to Scottish Craft Butchers to issue to our members via this weekly e-mail.

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

Natasha's Law Course

If your business sells food or drink directly to the public, you need to be aware of the new labelling rules required by Natasha's Law.

Natasha's Law came into effect on 1st October and means that any Pre-packed for Direct Sale (PPDS) food must carry appropriate labelling relating to allergens.

Our NEW ONLINE COURSE defines what constitutes Pre-packed for Direct Sale (PPDS) food, gives information on the 14 major allergens and demonstrates how to label your products correctly.

Topics covered include:
• What is Natasha's Law?
• Background information about allergens
• Labelling controls for the 14 allergens recognised by law
• The different ways food can be packaged and presented to the consumer
• Definition of PPDS food
• Using the PPDS decision tree
• The requirements for businesses to comply with the new legislation

Why choose the VWA Natasha's Law course?
Presented by our Managing Food Allergens trainer, our easy-to-use online course is split into 4 different modules for flexible learning.

It features a blend of video, images, interactive assessments, a decision tree and fact-checking throughout to ensure the retention of information.

Following successful completion of a short online test, users can download and print a Verner Wheelock certificate.

Individual enrolments can be made directly online. For bundles of 10 or more logins, please contact [email protected]

Women in Meat Awards

Women In Meat Awards ceremony booking now

The forthcoming Women In Meat Industry Awards dinner and ceremony is set for another sell out occasion, according to Emily Fox of Meat Management magazine, the organisers of the annual initiative.

Emily confirmed that with all voting now completed the unique annual Awards scheduled for the evening of Thursday 18th November, at the newly refurbished Hilton London Metropole, will celebrate the extensive contribution women make to the UK meat industry, and presentations will be made across 10 categories with winners selected from 45 finalists.

All category winners are put forward for the overall Meat Businesswoman of the Year Award, which will also be announced on the night.

The black-tie event is hosted by Olympian and broadcaster Katharine Merry and organisers confirm that the guest package has been upgraded this year to add more value, including an extended free drinks reception, and drinks and wine provided with dinner.

There will also be the popular after party when winners, finalists and guests will be able to celebrate to conclude a very special evening.

For more information or to book tables or tickets go to: https://womeninmeatawards.com/tickets/

Full details of this year's 45 finalists can be found at the Women In Meat Industry Awards website: www.womeninmeatawards.com.

Business involvement vital for review of Food and Drink National Occupational Standards
Involvement from food and drink businesses is required for an upcoming review of National Occupational Standards (NOS) within the food and drink sector.
Business involvement will ensure the benchmark industry standards of performance and effective working keep pace with changing industry needs.
NOS set down industry expectations of performance and achievement in the roles and the specific knowledge and skills staff need to perform effectively. NOS are statements of what someone needs 'to do' and 'to know' to perform a job role.
NOS are the building blocks for industry qualifications and are used to inform professional development. Awarding Organisations typically develop competence-based qualifications across the 4 nations from NOS, which are then used to support Apprenticeship Standards in England or within Apprenticeship Frameworks in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
NSAFD would like businesses to get involved by completing the online consultations for the following NOS reviews:
Health, Safety and Environment – https://reviewframe.com/collab/view/id/88
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]

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.

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.