Biggar appointed to QMS

Cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment, Richard Lochhead, said: "I am delighted to announce the appointment of Donald Biggar to the post of Chair of Quality Meat Scotland. Donald has proven to be an excellent leader of QMS over the past two years.

"He has outstanding experience of the red meat sector and I know that he is well qualified to meet the future challenges of QMS with confidence. This is particularly important as QMS moves towards Non-Departmental Public Body status."

QMS chief executive 'Uel Morton welcomed the news: "Donald has a wealth of experience of the work of QMS and the challenges facing the Scottish red meat sector and he has played a major role in guiding the organisation since 2005. His appointment as chairman gives QMS a bridge of continuity in what will be a changing board room set up from April next year."

The Scottish Government appointment will be for three years and will run formally from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2011. The appointment is on a part-time basis and attracts a remuneration of £321 per day for a time commitment of 2-3 days a week.

Quality Meat Scotland, which is currently a private company, is to become a public body from 1 April 2008 and wholly accountable to Scottish Ministers. The move will see QMS have direct statutory responsibility for a range of functions including addressing consumers' requirements for high standards of assurance throughout the food chain, underpinning demand for red meat through promotion and marketing and providing information and advice on best practice to the Scottish industry.

Biggar was first appointed chairman of Quality Meat Scotland in October 2005. He also manages the family farming business near Castle Douglas where the main enterprises are beef and lamb production. The farm is also home to Chapelton Beef Shorthorn and Aberdeen Angus herds of pedigree cattle.

Biggar was chairman of the Royal Smithfield Club from 1997-99. He is a Director of WCF Ltd and he was appointed as a Director of SAC in October 2006. He is also a Commissioner of the Meat and Livestock Commission.

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