13
QS – Report 2012
Outlook 2013
What were the most important resolutions
passed in 2012?
We developed our own standard for logistics
companies in order to substantiate the requirements
on storage and transport and ensure the traceability
of the products at all times during transport. If
companies are already certified in accordance with
the IFS Logistics standard, there is no additional
expense or effort as this standard is recognised by
QS.
We also decided last year that the results of
microbiological monitoring should be recorded
via the QS database in line with the preparation
guideline. In this way, we gain an overview of the
test results by product group so that we categorise
the risk, for example.
Where do you see the challenges for the QS
scheme in 2013?
With the help of the monitoring programme, we
will obtain more knowledge of microbiological
contamination by product group. We will have
to thoroughly analyse the data obtained here for
unprocessed products too and look for ways to
further reduce possible risks.
We would also like to expand the all-year availability
of products from the QS scheme and to this end, we
will have to expand cooperation with other quality
assurance standards in each of the countries of
origin.
Ulrich Schopohl,
Chairman of the Advisory Board Fruit,
Vegetables, Potatoes and Area Manager for Strategic Quality
Assurance with the REWE Group
With unannounced spot audits in 2012, the poultry
industry reached yet another milestone. From
2013,
unannounced audits will be conducted on all
stages of the Supply Chain Meat and Meat Products.
Clarification of how unannounced audits are to be
organised and the embedding of these principles in
the inspection system dominated our work in 2012.
Where do you see the challenges for the QS
scheme in 2013?
Even in 2012, we dealt with the topics of animal
health, protection and welfare at two special
meetings. With our initiative “Animal Welfare in
Poultry Production”, we have pushed ahead with
the discussion on the implementation of additional
animal welfare criteria. The step-by-step integration
of these criteria into the QS guidelines is one of the
greatest challenges for the current year. We are
currently working on concepts to show how higher
demands on farmers and slaughtering businesses
can be implemented without resulting in financial
disadvantages or shifts in the market.
Werner Hilse
,
Chairman of the Advisory Board Poultry
and Vice-President of the German Farmers’ Association
Deutscher Bauernverband e.V.
Advisory Board Fruit,
Vegetables, Potatoes
“
Continuous further
development of the
scheme – expansion of
the product availability”
What dominated the work of the
advisory board in 2012?
The topic of microbiology has gained significance
with fruit and vegetables in recent years. Against
this background, we had another critical look at the
supply chain in 2012 – in particular processing and
transport – and evaluated jointly the points at which
further improvements can be made in order to reduce
the risk of microbiological contamination.