Livestock farmers will have the chance to put their concerns and questions directly to Quality Meat Scotland chair, Kate Rowell, and chief executive, Sarah Millar, at a series of meetings starting in May.

The roadshows follow growing concern amongst farmers about the direction of farm assurance and QMS has stated that it is in ‘listening mode’ as Ms Millar takes up her new position at the helm. The top two at the levy body will also use the meetings to re-affirm what support it provides to its levy payers and the return on investment.

QMS will be joined by its new Quality Assurance provider ‘Food Integrity Assurance’, a subsidiary of SAOS, which will be there to explain how it plans to deliver quality assurance services in the future and take questions from farmers.

Ms Rowell said: "The roadshows are a great opportunity for QMS to get back out on the road after two years of Covid challenges. As a farmer myself, I want to hear first-hand the challenges our levy payers face and how QMS best support our industry going forward."

The dates for the events will be published in the coming weeks. Ms Rowell and Ms Millar will also be attending the following summer shows –

  • May 14 – Ayr County show;
  • May 21 – Fife show;
  • June 3 – Scotsheep;
  • June 4 – Taste of Grampian;
  • June 23 – Royal Highland Show;
  • July 31 – Turriff show;
  • August 4 – Black Isle show;
  • August 5 – Perth show.