QMS to reintroduce physical assessments for its members

ASSURANCE: Body to focus on ‘priority’ farmers with visits starting next week

Physical assurance assessments for “priority” farmers are to be gradually reintroduced for Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) members from next week.

Remote assessments have been taking place since April, but from June 28 new applicants, farmers who have an overdue assessment and those who are the subject of a complaint or concern as well as high-risk members (those who have failed to meet full compliance with key risk standards) will get a visit from QMS assessors.

However, a Covid-19 risk assessment will be conducted prior to every visit and wherever possible – in an effort to reduce on-farm time – members will be requested to submit their documents to a portal or direct to the assessors for review beforehand.

Assessors will wear PPE and adhere to physical distancing rules.

Members who are classed as vulnerable but who have been identified as needing a physical assessment can choose to have a representative present during the assessment to act on their behalf.

QMS say if this is not possible assessors will refer the member to Lloyds Register for discussion.

QMS head of brands integrity, Kathryn Kerr said remote assessments had proved successful in ensuring the vast majority of members’ certification continued “seamlessly” during the crisis.

She added: “For those members who were not able to complete their assessment remotely, the resumption of physical assessments will ensure the integrity of the Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork brands are protected robustly.”

The QMS remote assessment tool was introduced in April and is part of a fivepoint plan for assurance assessments during Covid-19 restrictions.

QMS assessors will visit farms again from June 28.