Scots market tasters under scrutiny
2 February 2001
Scots market tasters under scrutiny
By FWi staff
FARMERS who offer tasters of produce such as cooked sausage at farmers markets could fall foul of a food safety review in Scotland.
Concern over regulations covering Scottish markets have prompted a review by the Scottish Food Advisory Committee, reports the BBC Radio 4 Farming Today programme.
Members of the public attending SFAC public meetings had asked if consumers have the same protection when they buy from farmers markets as from shops.
Scottish Farmers Markets chairman John Scott believes complaints may have come from businesses which feel threatened by farmers selling direct.
But the farmer and Conservative MSP for Ayr said experience showed that town butchers benefited from the presence of a farmers market.
However, he conceded that the practice of offering would-be buyers samples of farm goods may come under scrutiny.
“I can accept its an area which could need investigated, but I dont believe its a real problem,” he told Farming Today.
Mr Scott said he welcomed the review and, if the committee found things which could be improved, he would be more than happy to introduce them.
SFAC chairman Sir John Arbuthnott stressed that the review was to see if markets implementing the same level of compliance as other outlets.
He insisted: “This is not a food-scare story, and there have been no particular concerns about food safety.”
The SFAC will talk to farmers, traders and local authorities and look at guidelines. It expects to have a report compiled by August.
The statutory SFAC provides Food Standards Agency Scotland with independent information and advice on all food safety and standards issues.