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Successful expansion of the salmonella
programme
The risk of salmonella infection in pig production
farms has been significantly reduced since the
introduction of the salmonella programme in the
QS scheme in 2003. The aim is now to build on
these successful efforts. In future, adapted limit
values will ensure that producers take action to
reduce salmonella risks at an even earlier stage
than is currently the case. The QS advisory boards
are currently deciding on the time frame for
implementation of the changes. Parallel to this, a
group of experts is looking into the possibility of also
using a suitably adapted salmonella programme for
sow production.
Unwanted foreign matters
The presence of pieces of metal in meat and sausage
products is a rare occurrence, but the financial
damage caused by the need to recall these products
is considerable. Quite apart from which, the food
retailers always want the products they sell to
consumers to be flawless.
The main causes of foreign matters in meat are
thought to be such things as unsuitable material
for activity or broken injection needles. In the QS
scheme a working group has been looking into this
problem since November 2011. Together with sector
representatives and veterinarians, the group is
developing concepts for the more effective detection
or avoidance of foreign matters in meat.
Comparable high standards
Meat and meat products bearing the QS certification
mark are produced on a basis of standardised
requirements - irrespective of whether they come from
Germany or abroad. When the QS scheme is updated
and optimised, therefore, it is also always necessary
to check whether the standards recognised by QS
keep pace with the changes.
Last year, the bilateral agreements with the
standardowners Centrum voor Bedrijfsdiensten B.V.
(CBD) and De Groene Belangenbehartiger B.V. (DGB)
in the Netherlands and the Danish Agriculture &
Food Council that have been in place since 2005 were
updated and extended to include aspects such as
livestock transport. One of the topics on the agenda
for 2012 is the revision of the agreement with the
Belgian organisation Belpork. At the same time, QS is
working on the expansion of its international network.
In the pork segment, talks are currently underway
on the recognition of the Svenskt Sigill (Sweden) and
British Quality Pig (Great Britain) standards. QS also
intends to agree on mutual recognition with the Irish
„Board Bia“ standard for beef.
Meat sector
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July 2007: animal welfare
An animal rights organisation uses the media to level accusations against the QS
scheme. They show footage supposedly taken in stalls of QS scheme participants.
This signals the start of a wide-ranging campaign against QS and a legal dispute with
the animal rights organisation, in the course of which the origin of the footage cannot
be clarified doubtlessly.
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September 2007: 100,000th scheme participant
When it presents the QS certificate to a pig
producer in Münster on September 5, 2007, QS
welcomes the 100,000th scheme participant to the
supply chain meat and meat products.
QS – Report on 2011 Outlook for 2012