Cattle and Sheep Standards

The cattle and sheep assurance standards are developed by the industry for the industry.

The Quality Meat Scotland Standard Setting Body met in May 2009 to undertake the annual review of the Quality Meat Scotland Cattle and Sheep Assurance Standards. In view of the fact that the proposed changed were minor ones, the QMS Board in conjunction with the QMS Cattle and Sheep Standard Setting Body have decided not to issue new standards for the 09/10 assessment year. Therefore the QMS 2008 version of the QMS Cattle and Sheep Assurance standards will continue to be the standard that SFQC will audit to for the 09/10 assessment year.

Seven famers sit on the QMS Standards Setting Committee for the Cattle and Sheep Scheme and their knowledge and experience is vital when establishing the required Assurance measures for an industry now widely credited with upholding the highest production standards.

Extensive consumer research commissioned by QMS has identified animal welfare issues that strongly influence shoppers' buying habits. Therefore the standards are designed to reassure consumers that animal welfare is as important to the industry as it is to them.

The Standards are reviewed annually and changes are made after consultation if necessary.

Although the Scheme is owned by QMS, the assessment of the businesses applying for Assured status has been contracted out to Scottish Food Quality Certification, qualified independent inspectors.

All Businesses are inspected on an annual basis by SFQC Assessors.

The latest version of the standards can be downloaded here:

QMS Cattle and Sheep Standards (PDF, 243kb)

Guide to safe livestock transport (PDF, 1.7Mb)

Please note: the documents to be found on these pages are uncontrolled versions and their accuracy cannot be guaranteed. In order to preserve the high regard and reputation of the Quality Meat Scotland Assurance Schemes, the scheme standards are constantly being reviewed and enhanced.

QMS strongly recommends that these standards be used as a guide only and clarification should always be sought from the relevant scheme manager / administrators to protect against potential non-compliance.