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Scotch Beef PGI
Scotch Beef is always traceable, local and quality assured. You can be sure when you buy Scotch Beef PGI that is is the genuine article.
What does quality assured mean?
The QMS Cattle & Sheep Assurance Scheme is the foundation of The Scotch Beef PGI label. This year, we are celebrating it's 30th anniversary, making it the longest established scheme of its kind in the world. Further details on our scheme can be found below.
- To carry the Scotch Beef PGI brand, cattle must have been born, reared and processed in Scotland and spent their entire life on QMS Scotch Assured holdings.
- This whole of life brand eligibility is delivered by a suite of assurance schemes: one livestock: Cattle & Sheep and four non-livestock: Feeds, Haulage, Auction Market and Processor.
- To ensure the best consistent eating quality for Scotch Beef PGI we only select the best prime cattle. In addition to the born, reared, slaughtered and Scotch assured from birth criteria, for meat from the animal to be eligible to carry the Scotch Beef PGI branding, the animal must be: Over 12 months of age Under 48 months if a steer or a heifer Under 16 months if a young bull Heifers must not have had a calf
- Since 1996 the Scotch Beef PGI brand has held the coveted European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, which legally protects the brand names from imitation.
- Animal welfare and wellbeing are of paramount importance in ensuring the highest product quality.
- Traceability of product is key and robust checker systems are in place.
- For further information on our standards, please visit, www.qmscotland.co.uk.
Our leading partner for animal welfare is
The SSPCA
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Sustainable beef farming
Our farmers follow certain practices to help them farm sustainably and produce the highest quality Scotch Beef. The Scottish industry works very closely with the Scottish SPCA (Scotland’s animal welfare charity). Scottish inspectors regularly visit our farms and animal health is also a priority in Scottish livestock production.
Production plays an important part in sustaining the diverse landscape for which Scotland is famed. Scotland’s hill livestock farmers typically farm both cattle and sheep, a mixed grazing system which benefits landscape biodiversity (Source: Scottish Natural Heritage).
Farming also plays an important part in social sustainability with over 50,000 jobs depending on the Scottish red meat industry, often in fragile rural communities. Scottish livestock farms typically remain in the same family, allowing farming skills to be passed down through generations. This includes invaluable knowledge of the terrain and conditions, as well as animal care skills. Livestock production has played a key role in Scotland’s social heritage for centuries, with cattle farming remaining at the heart of rural communities throughout the country.