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External Meetings
Scottish Meat Industry Forum 5th Meeting
Ian McWatt chaired meeting with 16 in attendance. This was the first meeting that DS had attended since receiving a late invitation to join this group.
Membership responsible for reporting back to their sector all the issues raised at SMIF. Industry representatives changed to specifically name SFMTA.
First Aid Provisions at Cutting Plants
Noted that some plants did not have any first aid provision. Agreed that this was not a widespread problem. DS pointed out that butchers tend to visit first aid points regularly due to cuts and that where formal training is being undertaken first aid provision is part of the induction process. A letter would be sent from FSS to highlight possible gaps.
Beef Authenticity
This topic was discussed at length. Ron McNaughton and Lynsey Scullion from the FSS Food Crime Unit made a presentation. In September 2015 set up unit to address serious fraudulent activity. Professor Scudamore reviewed issue in Scotland.
FSS asked by Scottish Ministers to create SFI
Now 14 members of staff with 10 focussed specifically on food fraud. The National Intelligence Model sets up collaborative working. Actions based on Prevention, Intelligence and Enforcement. Works along same lines as the Police service with Risk and Response headings.
Red meat and particularly Beef is prioritised because of Horsegate, Intelligence, Premium Scottish Product, Food Industry Intelligence Network (FINN),
FINN have 27 members inc all major retailers, Two Sisters, some frozen food producers and focus purely on authenticity . Born out of Elliot Review, FSS are first food regulator to be involved with FINN. FSS have also shared their information with FINN e.g. emerging risks.
IA stressed that the food service sector should be included as they are a sector that is making very little check on authenticity. IM said that there was a considerable amount of discussion with local authorities.
Substitution of beef, Polish and Irish instead of Scotch. If FSS do their own testing they can control their action. Sheep thefts 3876 in 2014, question where these are going. Restaurant selling 28 day aged Scotch beef when it wasn't.
Strategy has four strands – Divert, Deter, Detect and Disrupt.
Scientific Techniques
1. Stabilised isotope ratio analysis (SIRA) – geographical results
2. DNA methods
Aware that QMS are working on this too. System would take DNA of every beast at point of slaughter.
FSS are focussing on SIRA sampling and hoping to commission service in 2018. LS asked for cooperation from industry. Assurances were made that results from SIRA would be robust.
Andy McGowan warned that SIRA in Scottish Pork had produced false negatives and false positives. Andy with his experience of working both at QMS and with Identigen would be included in FSS discussions. Costs might be restricting and there was a question over what QMS might be able to afford.
IA said that post Brexit the PGI of Scotch Beef would be recognised within the EU.
Review of Scottish Co-located cutting plants and Game Handling Establishment compliance and official controls
FSS have reviewed their procedures in co-located cutting plants following the covert filming of poultry plants in England, concluded a bit of a gap in Scotland. Also revealed persistent non serious compliance in the game processing sector.
Game Handling Establishments in Scotland have benefitted from the application of OV flexibility which permits a minimum of one hour of OV time per month to be deployed and enables MHIs to conduct post mortem inspection.
Evidence of systemic non compliance since unannounced inspections (UAI) in game sector. That sector is in danger the reputation of the red meat industry in a Scotland. Reported that there is blatant disregard of regulations by some in the sector.
BSE Negligible Risk
By products sector has seen the biggest benefit. Moving from Category 1 to Category 3 has been the greatest difference. Pet food is a major interest. A plant in a Holland is interested in importing Scotch heads for processing – trade that would not have been there without BSE NR status. Expectations of greater interest.
Veterinary Audit Review
Proposed amendments were tabled.
“‹The short life working group agreed the following amendments:
• Remove the 18 month frequency – it was agreed by the short life working group that a yearly audit (12 months maximum interval) was the most appropriate frequency for those plants that receive either a Good or Generally Satisfactory audit outcome (this also concurs with export audit requirements).
• Amend the audit report format, to include the non-compliance summary report at the front of the report for easier reference rather than at the end of the report as is the case at present.
• Ensure industry are fully aware of the current option re partial audits: Where there is sufficient evidence provided to the auditor by the FBO, and verified by the OV where possible, that the NC has been rectified, this can be closed off without the need for an establishment visit (it is at the discretion of the auditor to decide if a visit is required). This is only possible if the audit outcome is 'generally satisfactory'. Agreed to retain this option and ensure that FBO's are aware of it.
Islands Abattoir Association Update
IAA Meeting on 6th September noted no issues to report. Prospect of new abattoir in Skye, promoters have visited Shetland abattoir and feel it is the best model for them to follow.
Two local authority owned abattoirs now find difficulty in remaining operational especially where market breakdown is threatening. Need to take a view of their wider need.
Most island abattoirs too busy when Negligible Risk status SOP were allowed. Felt that the opportunities would be taken up soon.
Abattoir Association anticipating a marketing project to be launched.
SFMTA Update
DS was invited to update the meeting on issues affecting the independent sector. He raised concerns that butchers in the East of Scotland were finding it increasingly difficult to find slaughtering capacity. It was recognised as a problem and pointed out that given Scottish Government's commitment to rural issues that Food Manufacturing grants of up to 40% would be available.
SFMTA will given this Update slot at every SMIF.
Closed Circuit Television in abattoirs
Access is expected to be restricted to OVs. Training for OVs will be completed by Monday 4th December. IA asked that it should be highlighted that 98% of animals going through abattoirs was already covered by CCTV. He felt that given the voluntary provision, legislation was not necessary. Issue is over who is allowed to view footage.
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