More Welfare emphasis needed in farm Quality Assurance schemes
says Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC): news report (PDF)
Assured British Pigs (ABP) took on UK pigmeat QA in 2001
Assured British Meat (ABM) was the "umbrella" organisation overseeing pig and ruminant QA schemes, but now pigs and ruminants are to have independent schemes. The new ABP pig scheme takes responsibility for the pig sector. A similar "whole supply chain" scheme will take forward ruminant sector half of the ABM initiative.The pigs sector ABP scheme inherits the achievements of ABM in amalgamating the original FAB Pigs and Malton QA shemes (see below).
Assured British Pigs operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but in Scotland, pig farm assurance is provided by SPII (Scottish Pig Industry Initiative) under the control of QMS (Quality Meat Scotland).
Although ABM is splitting into two independent scheme, there is also a desire for co-operation and liaison between all food and farm assurance schemes in all sectors. One reason for this is so that they can all use the British Farm Standard (BFS) Tractor logo (below) as a brand mark indicating quality assured UK produce. There are also industry needs to facilitate single inspections of farms that work in more than one type of food production. A new organisation, Assured Food Standards (AFS) has been formed for this purpose. It is an organisation that brings autonomous schemes together for common purposes. Within its framework are the schemes for red meat, poultry meat, dairy, crops and produce.
The BFS tractor logo is allowed on Pork and pork products that can be traced through the assured chain. It is subject to licence approval. The logo can only be used on pork and pork products alongside the existing Pork Quality Standard Mark (top of page).The Assured British Pigs scheme is operated by EFSIS Certification out of their Stourport office, under Scheme Manager Marcus Wood (telephone: 01299-829000).
"Post-Farm Gate" QA schemes in UK
Pigmeat sold with the Quality Standard Mark must not only be from assured pigs, but also hauled on assured vehicles and killed in assured abattoirs. Where further processing takes place, this must also be in assured premises.There are three schemes providing assurance on the aspects of transport and processing:
* The Assured British Pigs (ABM) and British Quality Assured Pork (BQAP) schemes are run from the EFSIS Stourport office (telephone: 01299-829000).
- The ABM Livestock Transport Scheme *
- British Quality Assured Pork (BQAP) scheme for abattoirs & processors of fresh pork products*
- BMMA Charter Bacon and Ham Scheme (for processors of cured pigmeat)
click to open list in new window
Food & Red Meat Quality Assurance
Bestselling and New books - lists:
Britain & Europe) Canada USA
(all deliver world-wide)
 | ||
| Home | Search | |
