The emergency legislation introduced by the European Commission following the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease requires meat produced in GB to be marked with either the Special Mark in Directive 2002/99 (Oval with a cross) or Decision 2001/304 (Round).
The MHS implemented this requirement immediately, with all carcasses for foot and mouth disease susceptible animals marked with the round stamp.
A transitional period was granted where the oval mark could still be applied to packages to allow FBOs to change their labels, and that period has now expired. The Scottish Government would encourage industry to comply as soon as possible. In the meantime we have asked enforcers to be pragmatic, and particularly to focus their attention in plants that are known to export regularly.
The restrictions also apply to mince, preparations and non heat treated products.
Plants can continue to use the round marks for some time before returning to the oval mark, as long as they accept that the product will be ineligible for export.
See this link for further guidance on requirements.