THE Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has declared its support for the Scotch Quality Beef and Lamb Association's farm assurance scheme, writes Robert Ross.
The SSPCA will, in future, co-operate with SQBLA in promoting the welfare aspects of beef cattle and sheep production on farms accredited to assurance standards.
SSPCA inspectors will be present as observers at a number of farm assessments.
The new era of collaboration was announced last night at a fund-raising dinner for the society at Edinburgh Castle.
SQBLA chairman John Ross said: ''With animal welfare among the most important constituents of our farm assurance scheme, it is extremely encouraging to have the support of a body such as the SSPCA.
''We welcome the input of their inspectors and other staff, which can only raise the credibility of our efforts to assure consumers that the beef and lamb produced on Scottish farms have been reared to the highest standards of welfare and management.''
SSPCA chief executive Jim Morris said the society had been observing SQBLA farm assurance and was encouraged by its developments and expansion.
''It is only right that we work together in a spirit of co- operation as we and SQBLA seem to have the same aims - the acceptable and accredited rearing of beef cattle and sheep.''
Under the joint arrangement SSPCA inspectors with relevant agricultural background will be invited to join SQBLA assessors on a percentage of farm visits.
The target for 1999 will be 10% of visits.
The SSPCA will continue to investigate any allegations of cruelty concerning beef and sheep farms and will keep SQBLA advised of its operations in that area.
The SQBLA farm assurance scheme involves more than 6000 beef and lamb producers who submit their farms and management practices to annual independent inspection.
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