The quality assurance body for grain grown in Scotland, Scottish Quality Crops (SQC), has launched a new website as part of efforts to improve its communications and transparency.
SQC was originally formed by a group of cereal growers in the 1990s in response to a new Food Safety Act and increasing interest from consumers in food standards and traceability.
Managing director of SQC, Teresa Dougall, said: “These growers recognised the need for an assurance scheme that would give confidence to buyers worldwide and ensure Scottish growers had a competitive edge to access a wide range of commodity markets,
“Thirty-plus years later, we are still working with growers and the length of the supply chain with the same mission.
“We are excited to launch our new website to reflect what the organisation is today and to keep growers and stakeholders informed and updated with SQC and industry developments.”
SQC is run by a cooperative board of eight organisations across the supply chain, including: maltsters, millers, distillers and agronomists. The organisation is always chaired by a grower.
The main objective is to ensure that the crop quality assurance scheme demonstrates safe, traceable and environmentally responsible production of arable crops within Scotland and through this to give growers access to a wide range of global markets.
It also provides a collective voice for growers’ interests at industry level to help influence emerging policy and legislation to maximise opportunities and minimise risks for SQC growers’ businesses.
Quality assurance
SQC has said it is currently undertaking a full review of its quality assurance standards, which are independently certified on farm by Food Integrity Assurance (FIA), to ensure they meet market requirements and to avoid duplication within the standards or, for example, with policy obligations.
“Since the start of the year we’ve had really good meetings with stakeholders across the sector, from the British Beer and Pub Association to the Scotch Whisky Association, the United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and the National Farmers Union Scotland.” Dougall continued
“Consultation is now underway with growers.
“This is a really important time for everyone with a stake in Scotland’s crop supply chain to have their say and to ensure we have a quality assurance scheme that is fit for purpose and benefits businesses at every stage to reach their market.”
Arable land represents approximately 10% of the country’s total agricultural area with 22% of holdings involved in crop production to some extent.
Output form Scotland’s arable sector is valued at around £1.1 billion annually.
