S01011: Evaluation of the Butchers' Licensing initiative in Scotland

Study Duration: February 2002 to July 2002

Contractor: Verner Wheelock Associates Ltd

An evaluation of the impact of the Regulations in Scotland which require butchers to obtain a licence from the local authority granting approval to trade. This evaluation includes interviews with Local Authorities, a survey of selected butchers, and a consumer confidence survey. The work will provide validated evidence on the effect of this major initiative on food hygiene standards in butchers’ shops and assess consumer confidence. The work will also consider the lessons that have been learned from the implementation of the initiative and these will prove invaluable in any future food safety initiatives relating to food retail businesses. In particular, it will identify those lessons, which could be applied to other SMEs^* in the food retail business.

*Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): businesses, which have up to 250 employees and a turnover of not more than £25 million.

The objective of this study was to carry out an evaluation of the impact of Butchers' Shop Licensing Regulations in Scotland on food safety standards and consumer protection. The main findings show that food safety standards in butchers' shops have improved since the E. coli O157 outbreak in Central Scotland, but this is not attributed solely to the licensing scheme as local authorities also took measures to improve standards. Independent assessors found standards of food safety rated as acceptable or better at 98% of supermarket butchers and 86% of independents visited.

These findings were disseminated at a stakeholders meeting in Aberdeen on 10 December 2002.

Contact: Susan Pryde
Tel: 01224 285171
Email: susan.pryde@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk