Quality Meat Scotland

The Scottish Executive in 2004 announced major changes in the way the public sector approaches its procurement policies. For the procurement of food, the new policies are geared towards promoting a sustainable agricultural sector, encouraging small and medium sized enterprises to compete for public sector contracts and to promote farm assurance and high animal welfare standards.

Following these announcements, QMS has been working to help public sector buyers provide sustainable measures within their red meat contracts. Once the measures were introduced, we published “The Scottish Public Procurement Officer’s Buying Guide for Red Meat”. The document was supported by the Scottish Executive and has been well received by those buying red meat on behalf of Scotland’s schools and hospitals.

In addition to our buyer’s guide, a number of other initiatives have been in place over the years including:

Sending regular market updates to public buyers
Presenting guidance on best use of the carcase
Offering specifications for popular cuts
Hosting regular seminars to educate buyers on Scotland’s unique supply chain
Advertising new tenders to the Scottish industry
Sponsoring major procurement events to raise awareness of our activities

Current Tenders:

Moray Council are currently tendering for the provision of fresh meat to schools in the area as well as community centre catering sections. The contract is for a minimum of 24 months. Interested parties are asked to contact Susan May at The Moray Council on telephone 01343 55 70 88 or by emailing susan.may@moray.gov.uk.

Useful Links:

Scottish Government Public Procurement Directorate – www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/procurement

Scottish Government Guidance on Integrating sustainable development into procurement of food and catering services -

www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/1265/0005191.pdf

In conjunction with


	© QMS 2008 t: +44 (0)131 472 4040 e: info@qmscotland.co.uk The information and expression of opinions that are contained in the site are intended to provide general guidance only and should not be treated as a substitute for specific advice concerning individual situations.


	Sunday 6th July 2008