The Bord Bia Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme is an integrated scheme involving the producer and the processing plant working in partnership to provide the customer with quality assured product. The scheme describes the essential quality assurance requirements from primary production through factory processing to final despatch which is necessary to meet customer requirements. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements the scheme lays down additional standards to be complied with at each step of the production chain.
The Producer
Producers seeking membership must initially apply in writing to Application Process Bord Bia using the Application Form provided on request. Application can also be made through a participating meat plant. A Producer Declaration Form will be completed at the audit to establish the proper basis for the audit. The application will then be evaluated and, if appropriate, a full independent audit of the Producer will be carried out to evaluate the capability of the applicant to meet all the requirements of the Standard. When the Producer is deemed to have complied with the requirements of the Standard as determined by independent audit carried out by a Bord Bia appointed inspection body, the Producer will be considered for certification under the Scheme. When certified, the Producer will be issued with a Membership Certificate and will be listed on the Bord Bia register/database.
Meat Plants
Within the lamb plant the scheme lays down a number of key essential requirements covering both product and process. There are procedures covering hygiene, chilling, and product traceability along the production chain. Member plants must develop a food safety management plan based on the principles of HACCP.