All beef produced in Scotland could soon be DNA tested to guarantee the authenticity of the Scotch Beef brand, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) revealed yesterday.
The red meat levy body, which runs and oversees the Scotch Beef PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork brands, said it was seeking feedback from all parts of the Scottish red meat industry on the potential benefits of introducing an official programme of DNA testing for beef.
Speaking at an NFU Scotland livestock roadshow in Orkney, QMS chief executive Alan Clarke said Scotch Beef was one of the most recognised of all food brands in Scotland, and it was vital for industry to be able to defend the integrity of the brand from any “unscrupulous activity”.
He said although there were many steps already in place to prevent food fraud, the introduction of a DNA monitoring programme would further strengthen the integrity of Scotch Beef.
“This could include the establishment of a Scottish Cattle DNA Database which would underpin the existing quality assurance and brands integrity measures in place for Scotch Beef PGI,” added Mr Clarke.
