SFQC has been commissioned on a number of occasions to develop quality assurance schemes and protocols for clients. This has included carrying out research into market demand, advising on governance structures, developing scheme standards and protocols and achieving accreditation for developed schemes. SFQC engages with various food and farming businesses advising on potential routes to investigate and progress. Two case studies are listed below.
Case studies
Scottish Quality Wild Venison (SQWV)
SFQC facilitated the set up of SQWV in 2002 as a joint venture between Forest Enterprise, the Association of Deer Management Groups, the Scottish Game Dealers and Processors and the Scottish Gamekeepers Association. We helped establish the organisation as a company limited by guarantee, developed scheme standards and assessment procedures and assisted promotion of the scheme.
The SQWV scheme relates to ‘wild’ venison i.e. managed populations of deer living naturally in forests, hills and parkland. It aims to ensure:
- that the deer populations are being managed humanely
- the stalkers and gamekeepers managing the deer are competent
- the despatch and transport of carcase to the larder is well handled
- high food hygiene standards of carcase handling and larder storage
- traceability of the venison from hill to plate
More information on SQWV is available here or at www.sqwv.co.uk/
Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA)
SFQC worked with a number of partner organizations during 2006 - 2007 to develop the SALSA standard and then pilot it in Scotland. This involved assisting in the working up of draft standards and protocols and trialling these with 15 businesses in Arran, Dumfries and Galloway and the Shetland Isles. These businesses were the first to become certificated under the SALSA scheme in the UK.
Three years on, SALSA is widely recognised across the UK, including Northern Ireland, and has gained wide acceptance from national buyers as a creditable approval scheme. Over 650 buyers have registered on the SALSA website which profiles all registered and certified food and drink producers. Around 300 suppliers of all types of food and drink now hold certification, and nearly 20% of these are based in Scotland.
More information on the SALSA scheme is available at www.salsafood.co.uk
SFQC continues to be actively involved in the development of SALSA via its membership of the governance board, and supporting Scottish business toward first audit via professional mentoring at very reasonable rates.
To find out about more about SFQC's SALSA services click here.