Stakeholder Meeting Scottish Government

Purpose to give an update on where we are in Scotland. Cabinet Secretary reiterated what
Checking authenticity retailers.?
No manafacterures in Scotland
European issue
Traceability
Assurance schemes
Thanked stakeholders for time devoted over the last few weeks

Michael Mathieson
FSA is responsible to Scottish ministers inc the Health Minister. Consultation on shape and scope of the New Food Body for Scotland will be announced on Thursday 28th. It needs to re assure the public on food safety.

Two expert groups will be set up
1 headed by Richard Lochhead and the other by Michael Mathieson on regulatory FSA responsibilities

QMS said It wa important to promote the brand to inc principles of Scotch label assurance schemes

Charles Milne Director FSA gave an update and he said things had moved on considerably since he last reported on Monday 11th February.
Europol were now involved coordinating EU wide investigations.
Irish in London today
French investigating comigel
Poland
Romania
Affecting all large companies

West Yorkshire
West Wales
Investigations continuing. It is likely that this plant will have sold product to Scotland, just watch this space.

Emphasis has been on
224 samples plus another five per local authorities institution suppliers.
Inspections to be completed by1 st March to ensure no substitution.

Testing results 2501 samples, 29 positives 7 products that new about ie Findus.
Ind committed to providing FSA with more results this Friday and the following Friday. After tat quarterly reporting.

Companies were asked to test highest risk products
SCOFCA
2500 samples in EU, UK new 150 samples.
4000 sampling of horsemeat for BUTE.
This is a key exercise in rebuilding customer confidence.

Carry over discussions about acceptable or significant.
Halal and kosher meat is an issue. Meeting faiths groups to determine what is important to them.

Send out Cabinet Secretary's address to SFMTA members.

Contamination should not be used in communication.
Need to be aware of the language
Communication needs a coherent approach
FSA give its line and Scottish Government needs to have its own.
Future requests to include SAMW and British Hospitality Association.

Next steps
Expert groups to be set up.
BRAND need addressed
FUTURE TESTING focus has been on voluntary so far.
Can dissemination of results before open in future?
For first time there is a commitment to feed back results quarterly to FSA.
Risk based approach to testing that suggests butchers would not be caught up in this.
Supply chain – broken. Fraud proofing is extremely difficult. Needs to be sensitive.

Labelling, how do you legislate for Scotch Pie made with German beef?
QMS taking forward licensing scheme for processors.
European labelling Regs could be the way forward but these are complex.

Summary – No food scare in Scotland, European problem impacting in Scotland. Got to have confidence in Scottish food.