Scottish Government

Guidance on the compulsory beef labelling system andthe beef labelling scheme (the approval system for other labelling claims)

Scottish Government, Rural and Environment Directorate

ISBN 978 0 7559 9457 1 (Web only publication)

This document is also available in pdf format (147k)
DPPAS 10311

Contents

Section A: General information
1. What is the beef labelling system?
2. What are the beef labelling rules?
3. Who do the rules apply to?
4. What types of beef do the rules apply to?
5. What is labelling?
6. How should beef be labelled?
7. What is a traceability system?
8. How are the rules enforced?

Section B: Compulsory labelling
1. What compulsory information must you show on your labelling?
2. What compulsory information must be displayed on your labelling for trimmings?
3. What are the labelling rules for non-pre-packed cut meat?
4. What compulsory information must be displayed on your labelling for minced beef?
5. How do you label beef imported from a non- EU country, when not all compulsory labelling information is available?
6. How do the rules apply to 'Scotch Beef' and 'Orkney Beef'?

Section C: New labelling rules on the marketing of meat of bovine animals aged 12 months or less
1. How should you categorise meat of bovine animals aged 12 months or less?
2. What labelling/sales descriptions should be applied?
3. Can I mix batches of offal from bovines aged 12 months or less?
4. Can the meat of bovines aged up to 8 months and that of 8-12 months be mixed?
5. Can supplementary information be applied to my labelling?
6. Can I use the term Rosé veal?
7. Use of two or more descriptions.
8. What are the recording obligations for operators?

Section D: Voluntary beef labelling scheme
1. What is the beef labelling scheme?
2. What information needs to be approved?
3. What information does not need to be approved?
4. What rules must you follow under the beef labelling scheme?
5. How to apply for beef labelling scheme approval
6. What happens next?
7. How we will use the information you give us?

Section E: Labelling imported and exported beef with non-compulsory information
1. How do you label beef imported from other European Union ( EU) member states with non-compulsory information?
2. How do you label beef imported from outside the European Union ( EU) with non-compulsory information?
3. How do you label beef to export to other European Union ( EU) countries?

Section F: Examples of labels

Section G: Relevant Regulations

Section H: Definitions

Contact

Businesses in Scotland should contact our Livestock Policy Branch.

Phone: 0300 244 9291/9290
Fax: 0300 244 9690
E-mail: Livestockpolicy@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.scotland.gov.uk

Address:

Livestock Policy Branch
Scottish Government, Rural and Environment Directorate

The Livestock Policy Branch can give you copies of this guide, the beef labelling scheme application form BLS 2 (for labelling claims that need approval) and a list of the recognised beef labelling verifiers (this list is also available on our website).