A FARMER meeting on the future of farm assurance is planned for this Thursday, March 17, in Aberdeenshire.

The open event has been provoked by growing dissatisfaction with the assurance schemes operated by Quality Meat Scotland, Red Tractor and Scottish Quality Crops.

Meeting organiser Patrick Sleigh, who grows cereals and potatoes at West Fingask farm in Aberdeenshire, said: “Assurance schemes have their place but not in the current dictatorship manner. They appear to be mismanaged by unaccountable persons. This is putting immense pressure on the mental health of farmers, family members and staff. Life is too short and common sense must prevail.”

Provoking farmer anger has been the publication of the updated QMS cattle and sheep farm assurance rules for 2022. Finlay McIntyre, of Dunalastair Estate, said: “The standards have over 50 pages of rules and only two pages of benefits. The irony certainly is not lost on me – I couldn’t believe the amount that was in it.

"At present fat cattle and many classes of sheep, certainly ewes, are worth more South of the border. I am behind the label, I also fully support high welfare standards – however some of the hurdles bear no resemblance to welfare and at present none of them represent a premium at point of sale. QMS has lost sight of where they should be.”

All three assurance bodies – QMS, Red tractor and SQC – do not plan to attend the farmer meeting, which will be held at the Lochter outdoor centre, Old Meldrum.

QMS chair Kate Rowell said: "QMS will not attend the meeting next Thursday evening. However, QMS’s role is to listen to key outputs following the meeting and we are more than happy to have a follow-up discussion.

"Our Quality Assurance standards are designed to address consumer concerns and questions, and by working together we can maintain consumer demand and trust in the Scotch and SSP brands. Mental health is an issue we take very seriously, our cattle and sheep standards are not compulsory, they are voluntary, and it is not our intention to cause additional workload to farmers that impacts their overall mental health.”

Chair of SQC, Andrew Moir, said: “I have not been invited to the meeting or seen an agenda. But I made it perfectly clear the SQC are at a crossroads and I welcome positive feedback. I am approachable and in listening mode for any conclusions from the meeting.”

When approached by The Scottish Farmer, Red Tractor refused to comment on the meeting, but did say that it would not be attending.

NFU Scotland livestock policy manager Hannah Baker commented: “NFUS recognises the importance of farm assurance rules that underpin the exceptional quality and welfare standards achieved by almost every cattle and sheep producer in Scotland and the confidence those standards give to those wanting to buy Scotch PGI beef and lamb.

“Any changes to standards always brings questions and it is important that the rationale for any change is explained to those in the scheme. NFUS’s Livestock committee met to discuss proposed changes to the standards and views were fed back to the standards setting body. That saw some major changes around slatted courts, tethering and electronic medicine records being kept as recommendations rather than requirements.”

The Old Meldrum meeting is open to all farmers, at the Lochter outdoor centre, at 7pm on March 17. Further information can be obtained from Patrick Sleigh on 07711838019 or patricksleigh@gmail.com. There will be a charity collection for RSABI on the door.