Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has granted a temporary derogation that will allow pigs diverted to the Tulip abattoir in Ashton to be eligible for the Specially Selected Pork brand.

QMS uses the quality assurance scheme to promote Scottish pork in the UK and abroad.

The derogation has been offered following an inspection visit this week to Tulip’s Ashton processing plant near Manchester by QMS, the Scottish SPCA and QMS’s quality assurance certification provider, Acoura.

The derogation is subject to stringent conditions and will be reviewed weekly.

“The fire at the QPL premises at Brechin – which is responsible for over 60% of the Scottish pig slaughter capacity – has created an exceptional set of circumstances,” said Jim McLaren, chair of QMS. “It is particularly galling that this damage has occurred soon after the opening of the increased capacity at the site following a period of significant investment”

Last week, the Government granted a temporary relaxation of drivers hours to enable transport of pigs for processing in northern England.