Meat Processor Quality Assurance Scheme (MPQAS)

The Meat Processor Quality Assurance Scheme (MPQAS) has been developed for meat factories that wish to sell products as Bord Bia Quality Assured (QA) products. All such meat must come from farms that are also certified to Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes. Only meat from QA farms which is processed in QA Meat factories can use the Bord Bia Logo on product.

The MPQAS ensures that all meat is processed and packed to the highest standards before reaching the consumer, assuring quality at each stage of the ‘farm to fork’ production chain.

The Standard is designed for processors of all species (pigs, poultry, beef & lamb) and sets out a number of essential requirements for meat plants covering both product and process relating to:

• Cleaning, Hygiene & HACCP Based Procedures
• Animal Welfare
• Storage, Handling & Transport
• Product Identification / Traceability, Reconciliation & Recall
• Waste Disposal
• Final Product Dispatch

The Scheme is accredited to ISO 17065. For more information please download the MPQAS Standard.

Application Process

Membership of the Scheme is voluntary and open to all abattoirs, meat processors and meat packers. Processors seeking membership must apply to Bord Bia using the application form. On the form, they must state the scope applied for i.e. the processes (Slaughtering, Cutting, Further Processing, Retail packing, Burgers and/or Sausages) and species (Pigmeat, Beef, Lamb and Poultry).

Applicants will also be required to sign a Membership Agreement with Bord Bia that includes an undertaking to comply with the requirements of the scheme and with relevant legal, indemnity and insurance requirements. They must also acknowledge the specifications set out in the Logo Use Policy which can be downloaded below.

When an application has been received, the meat plant will be required to pay an application / membership fee. The amount will vary depending on the scope. Thereafter an annual membership fee will apply.

Processor Certification

Following application, an audit of the applicant’s business will be conducted. If non-compliances with the requirements of the Standard are identified, these must be satisfactorily addressed before certification can be considered (where a large number of non-compliances are raised, a second audit to verify close out may be required before certification can be considered).

When certified, the Member will be issued with a membership certificate and will be listed on the Bord Bia database / Certified QA Members list.

Each Member is independently audited at scheduled intervals (normally once every 18 months, or as decided by the Certification Committee). In addition, Bord Bia carry out at least 1 unscheduled (spot) audit during every 18 month cycle for the purpose of verifying compliance with the requirements of the standard.

Members must request approval to use the Quality Assurance Logos through logging into the Bord Bia members website (qas.bordbia.ie).

For more information please contact Quality.Assurance@BordBia.IE or 01 6143679.