New measures to protect consumers

The new licensing scheme was introduced after the E.coli O157 outbreak in central Scotland in 1996.

It applies to any outlet which sells both unwrapped, raw meat and any ready-to-eat products.

The licence applies to butchers' shops, many grocers, delicatessens and supermarkets.

All must have the appropriate hygiene measures in place and submit an application to their local environmental health department by 21 August.

The Director of the Food Standards Agency for Scotland, Dr George Patterson, said the regulations would be good news both for the consumer and for butchers.

He insisted that the licensing scheme would help food retailers by boosting consumer confidence rather than harm them.

But he added that, with the deadline looming, they would have to act fast to be in compliance with the law.

The outbreak of E.coli O157 infection which claimed the lives of 21 people in Scotland in 1996 was traced to a butcher's shop in Wishaw.

Following the outbreak, the UK Government set up a commission to look into the issue of food safety.