Evaluation of the Butchers' Licensing Initiative in Scotland

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