The Quality Meat Scotland Order 2008

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order )

This Order creates a new body called Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) (Article 3).

QMS has functions and duties relating to the beef, sheepmeat and pork industries. It operates for these industries in Scotland. The Order contains provisions for the constitution and proceedings of the Board (Article 4 and Schedule 2).

The Board must raise levies relating to each industry (Article 6). Details of payment of the levies, and the maximum permitted levy, are set out in Schedule 3. Under that Schedule, failure to make a return relating to a levy is an offence.

Article 5 permits QMS to delegate functions (specified in Schedule 1) to a subsidiary company.

If demanded by a set percentage of levy payers in any given sector, the Board must hold a ballot on whether or not the levy system should continue in that sector (Articles 9, 10 and 11). Ballots can also be called by QMS or by the Scottish Ministers through a direction to QMS.

Article 12 provides details of the reports and accounts which QMS must provide.

Article 13 provides for specified required information which QMS must provide or make available.

Article 14 provides for specified information which is to be made available to QMS by levy payers.

Article 15 specifies the offences and penalties for breaches of particular aspects of the Order.

The penalty for breach of the Order is a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000).

A Regulatory Impact Assessment has been prepared and placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. Copies can be obtained from the Scottish Government Rural Directorate, Pentland House, 47 Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh, EH14 1TY.