MEMBERS UPDATE 8th DECEMBER 2023

Industry complaint over Channel 4's 'Big British Beef Battle'

Several industry bodies have launched complaints to the communications regulator over the documentary which has caused outrage in the red meat industry.
Levy bodies Quality Meat Scotland and AHDB as well as Industry Trade Associations have made complaints to the Office of Communications (Ofcom) regarding Channel 4's The Big British Beef Battle presented by Paralympian and writer Ade Adepitan.
The programme has been squarely refuted by the farming and red meat community who are angry at the 'inaccurate portrayal' of the beef sector.
Several complaints have now been lodged with media watchdog OFCOM.

Exemptions updated to Zero Waste Scotland Website

The exemptions category for the Single Use Plastic Products has been updated.
We have been in discussions on this as the information did not make clear to consumers that uncooked meat supplied by butchers is exempt.
The new guidance now reads:-

Exemptions
As part of the public consultation and further stakeholder engagement, certain exemptions to the single-use plastic regulations have been put in place.
Food needing further preparation:
The ban only applies to food containers, such as boxes, with or without cover used to contain food which is:
1. Intended for immediate consumption, either at the receptacle or as a takeaway item,
2. Ready to be consumed without any further preparation, such as cooking, heating or boiling.
This means food items, such as uncooked meat supplied by butchers, is exempt from the ban.
Single-use Plastic Products (Scotland) Regulations 2021 | Zero Waste Scotland

Items for Sale

Walk-in freezer.

The sizes are H 2.4m, W 3.0m and D 3.0m

It is located in Aberdeen and the owners are happy for it to be taken for free as long as recipient dismantles it for removal.

There were also a couple of sinks which may be of interest.

The owners believe it was probably new in 2018 but unsure.

If you have any interest please let Peter Knoll know (Details Below).

Peter Knoll
Financial Accountant
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01358 722441

UK Sausage Week makes a welcome return in 2024

UK Sausage Week (UKSW) returns next year taking place over the 28th October – 3rd November period. The annual event was suspended during the Covid pandemic.

As usual butchers, supermarkets, foodservice and manufacturers across the UK are expected to be involved.

The week commences with a celebration lunch in London on 28th October 2024, when the UK Supreme Sausage Champion will be revealed, alongside a host of category winners.

Dates for the UKSW national product competition to find next year's sausage champions will be announced early in the new year with full details of how to enter products for evaluation and judging.

The competition will be headed up by Chief Judge Keith Fisher, the CEO of the Institute of Meat (IoM). Fisher commented: “Entries in previous years have been outstanding and it is brilliant news that UK Sausage Week will return in 2024 when we can celebrate all things sausage!”

Joanna Thomson editor of Meat Management magazine, who organise UKSW, added: “UK Sausage Week is always a great way of promoting sausages in the run up to and over the period of Halloween and Bonfire Night. It is always good to see retailers and manufacturers launching new products or reinventing old ones and organising fun events, plus local and even national media coverage.

“We all know how important the sausage market is to the UK meat trade and now, more than ever, getting involved could not be more important. It's a great opportunity to get customers thinking about and buying more sausages!”

• Best Pork Sausage
• Best Beef Sausage
• Best Lincolnshire Sausage
• Best Cumberland Sausage
• Best Chipolata Sausage
• Best Gluten Free / Free From Sausage
• Best Chicken Sausage
• Best Speciality Sausage
• UK Sausage Week – Supreme UK Champion

Winners of the UKSW Competition often report significant increases in sausage sales and companies and retailers who innovate and get involved can maximise on the profile UKSW creates. The week normally attracts national and local media interest and coverage, and organisers will be spreading the word to make sure all the key people are aware.

For more information about UKSW contact Sharon Yandell: [email protected] and for partnership opportunities email: [email protected] or go to: www.sausageweek.com

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.