Quality as usual

ALTHOUGH Scottish Food Quality Certification, Scotland's leading food certification business, has been acquired by Certus Compliance Group, Scotland's 15,000 farmers who operate assurance schemes will not be affected.

"It will be business as usual and farmers will still be dealing with SFQC for their certification schemes," was the assurance given last night by SFQC chief executive Tim Bailey, who will continue in the same role with the new company.

He explained that while farming and food quality will remain central to the work of the company, the move was made to allow it to expand into other areas, such as carbon footprint measurement and traceability services while operating mainly within Scotland.

Along with Bailey, SFQC founder and shareholder Peter Brown and his fellow SFQC director-shareholders David Whiteford OBE and Margaret Seaton, have become shareholders in Certus Compliance.

The takeover was welcomed by Jim McLaren, chairmen of Quality Meat Scotland for whom SFQC carry out the inspections and certifications for their assurance schemes.

"The announcement will support the continued growth of SFQC and ensure the organisation is well positioned to offer the Scottish industry a service with increased resource."

ST BOSWELLS - John Swan Ltd sold 113 clean cattle, 65 OTM cattle, 1,272 spring lambs, 404 prime hoggs and 285 ewes. Bullocks (55) averaged 190p per kg (+8.0p on the week) and sold to 209p, gross 1,389, from Lurdenlaw. Heifers (50) averaged 190.3p per kg, (+8.5p on the week), and sold to 207p from Bee Edge, gross 1,263 from Dunslaw. Young bulls (eight) averaged 168.8p per kg, (+1.6p on the week), and sold to 180p from Aikeyside, gross 1,318 from Phantassie. Beef type OTM cattle (62) averaged 137p per kg,(+9.5p on the week) and sold to185p from East Loanend, gross 1,346 from Lauder West Mains. Dairy type OTM cattle (three) sold to 109p, gross 708, from Traprain. Spring lambs averaged 234.1p per kg, (-18p on the week) and sold to 122 for Suffolks from M/s Clarkson, Upper Bolton and 251.4p per kg for Texels from M/s Rennie, Sydenham. Prime hoggs averaged 197.9p per kg, (+2.2p on the week) and sold to 118.50 for Beltex from M/s Glennie, Threeburnford and 222.5p per kg for Texels from ATC Dodds, Bonjedward Mill. Ewes averaged 97.66 (+8.07 on the week) and sold to 138.50 for Texels from M/s Kirk & Sons, Bettyfield.