The UK food industry remains at risk from criminal fraud, and only a dramatic change in culture will prevent another horsemeat scandal.
Almost a year after the revelation of widespread meat adulteration first broke, that was the stark warning from Professor Chris Elliot, whose interim report into integrity and assurance in the UK’s food system commissioned by Defra was released on Thursday (December 12).
With the final report due to be published early next year, the provisional findings set out the weaknesses of supply chain networks and stress that a system which puts the consumer first, whilst employing an absolute zero tolerance approach to food fraud, must be brought into play.
“My review to date has identified a worrying lack of knowledge regarding the extent to which we are dealing with criminals infiltrating the food industry,” said Professor Elliot.
“I believe criminal networks have begun to see the potential for huge profits and low risks in this area. The food industry and thus consumers are currently vulnerable,” he added.
Commenting on the interim report, which has 48 recommendations for industry and Government, a spokeswoman for NFU Scotland said: “This is a positive step for this industry and recognises that the Government is taking this horsemeat scandal seriously.”
She also said the scandal has helped deliver positive results for Scotland, sending people looking specifically for Scottish meat which can be traced from farm to plate.
“It has also driven a lot of people back to their butchers to ask where their meat is coming from, and this will help to deliver more confidence for consumers,” added the spokeswoman.
“We are continuing to give reassurance that meat labelled as Scottish is Scottish and has all the high standards associated with Scottish farming.
“Our Scotch label brand provides the confidence that the product is 100%, Scottish and of high quality, and we would urge consumers to buy meat labelled with the Scotch branding where possible.”
Quality Meat Scotland chairman Jim McLaren said: “In Scotland, our industry takes great pride in the Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI brands.
“These brands are trusted around the world and it is important that as an industry we remain on the front foot and vigilant for any sensible and workable opportunities to further strengthen the existing measures to protect them.”
One example of this, he said, is the new licensing scheme for those in the supply chain beyond the abattoir, which QMS introduced earlier this year as an extension to the rigorous requirements already in place to guarantee the authenticity of Scotch Beef and Lamb.
“The scheme makes it mandatory for anyone who uses the Scotch Beef and Lamb brands to be licensed by QMS,” said Mr McLaren.
“Over the past two decades Scottish farmers and others involved in the production chain behind Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb have made a major commitment to embrace quality assurance.
“The benefits of having adopted a robust system, which does not cut corners, become very clear at a time when the integrity of the meat supply chain around the world remains under intense scrutiny.
“The Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork brands are currently underpinned by six quality assurance schemes, covering areas including cattle, sheep, pigs, feed, haulage, auction markets and primary processors,” Mr McLaren added.
In addition to a “zero-tolerance” approach to all food fraud, no matter how minor any compliance breach or dishonesty may be, Professor Elliot’s raft of measures also call for better intelligence and data to detect food crime, a move from announced to unannounced industry auditing, and the suggestion of a new non-Home Office police force to ramp up the policing of criminal activity in the food supply chain.