Quality Meat Scotland
Quality Meat Scotland's (QMS) core function is to work with the Scottish red meat industry to improve its efficiency and profitability, and to maximise its contribution to Scotland's economy. Its main focus is on industry development, marketing, communication and quality assurance.
QMS became a Non-Departmental Public Body with effect from 1 April 2008. Previously it had been a private, non profit-making company limited by guarantee and governed by company law. Its main source of funding continues to come from a statutory levy from farmers and processing companies in Scotland. Other income comes from quality assurance scheme membership. QMS is accountable to the Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament for its use of levy funds. The Scottish Ministers are, in turn, accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the use by QMS of the public funds at their disposal.
The Scottish Government is the sponsor department for QMS. The Rural Directorate works with QMS to ensure delivery of the company's core functions and other statutory activities. The Scottish Ministers approve the QMS annual report and accounts prior to their laying before the Scottish Parliament. The Directorate's role also includes keeping the Scottish Parliament informed about QMS' performance in relation to its use of public funds.
View a copy of QMS's Framework Document, comprising a management statement and financial memorandum, drawn up by the Department in consultation with QMS.
For more information on the work of QMS visit their website ( http://www.qmscotland.co.uk/).