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QS – Report on 2011 Outlook for 2012
Advisory board for poultry
„Setting benchmarks with
antibiotics monitoring and
spot audits“
We are leading the way with mould-
breaking decisions. The advisory
board for poultry once again set
important benchmarks in 2011: the introduction
of antibiotics monitoring and the performance of
unannounced spot audits at poultry producers in the
QS scheme.
At our December meeting, we decided to introduce a
comprehensive antibiotics monitoring programme in
the QS scheme in 2012. This programme will create
a robust cross-producer database that can form the
basis for factual discussion and debate. At the same
time, it will enable us to identify need for action in
specific farms and companies and to take measures
that will help optimising the use of antibiotics and
reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. The relevant
guideline came into effect in March 2012.
Unannounced spot audits are to be introduced in all
stages of the QS scheme in 2013, and the poultry
sector has already made a start. In the period up to
December 2012, auditors will in particular review
criteria relating to animal welfare, hygiene and the
storage of medicines at around 1,200 farms.
This reflects just how seriously the poultry sector
takes its responsibilities vis-à-vis consumers and
society at large. We are facing the challenges
together - in the interests of healthy livestock and
safe food products.
Werner Hilse
, Chairman of the advisory board for poultry and
Vice-President of the German Farmers‘ Association
Advisory board for fruit,
vegetables and potatoes
„Contributing to resolve
crises“
The EHEC crisis in the spring of
2011 was a severe test for the
industry - for food retailers,
producers, wholesalers and QS. In conclusion it can
be said that the incident and crisis management
system in the QS scheme performed its function.
The entire fruit and vegetable sector was able to
profit from fast and comprehensive information. The
necessary consequences were drawn without delay
and incorporated in the QS guidelines.
The advisory board for fruit, vegetables and potatoes
increased its focus on microbiological risks: products
with heightened risk status must in future be
monitored more closely, and this is why we drew up
and adopted the Guideline Preparation. The guideline
came into effect on January 1, 2012 and stipulates,
among other things, strict hygiene requirements. It
also requires the farms to perform microbiological
monitoring. This applies in particular to sprouts and
germ buds, which will subject to particularly close
scrutiny in future.
In years to come, we will continue working together
to make fresh and processed fruit and vegetables
even safer. To this end, we will, as always, be
thoroughly monitoring all production and marketing
processes.
This also includes the decision to integrate logistics
service providers into the QS scheme, thereby closing
the last gap in the chain from farm to shop.
Ulrich Schopohl,
Chairman of the advisory board for fruit,
vegetables and potatoes and Head of Strategic Quality Assurance
at the REWE Group
>
January 2006: lead-contaminated feed
Lead concentrations exceeding the
admissible maximum level are detected in
mineral feed. This was caused by calcium
carbonate from a limestone quarry.
>
October 2005: facelift for the QS certification mark
The QS certification mark is given a new look. The „stage
symbol“ still used today is introduced in October 2005:
the arrow with its five sections stands for the cross-stage
inspection of food „from farm to shop“.