EU quality schemes
In addition to EU mandated legislation, Quality Assurance schemes have been widely introduced at the national level in recent years, further enhancing food safety standards and meeting the demands of consumers. The EU strongly supports this cause through actions such as the introduction of EU wide quality schemes like the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), & Traditional Specialities Guaranteed (TSG); and the establishment of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is based in Ireland.
Bord Bia assurance Schemes
Bord Bia – the Irish Food Bord developed the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Schemes (SBLAS) in response to the demands of the marketplace. There is an increasing demand from purchasers of meat products for proof that the meat is produced sustainably on farms that are certified members of an accredited Quality Assurance Scheme which works towards sustainability goals incorporating, environmental, social and economic aspects.
Through measurement and analysis the SBLAS demonstrates the quality of beef and lamb farming at individual farm level and provides constructive feedback to farmers to help them with decision making aimed at improving their sustainability performance.
The Standard (and the Scheme based on the Standard) is accredited to the International Standard for Product Certification ISO 17065: 20122 by the Irish National Accreditation Board. During the independent inspection visit, the compliance of the Applicant / Producer (in areas relating to legal, quality and customer requirements relevant to traceability, food safety, hygiene, health and safety, welfare, etc.) with the quality assurance criteria in the Standard is assessed. A report on the level of compliance achieved is then prepared for the Applicant / Producer.
The Meat Processor Quality Assurance Scheme (MPQAS) has been developed for meat processors that wish to sell products as Bord Bia Quality Assured (QA) products. All processor members are independently audited on a regular basis and are also subject to unannounced spot audits.