IT MAY be the season of goodwill, but there is little of that left between Scottish family butchers and Quality Meat Scotland.
High street butchers are aggrieved that the red meat promotional body is putting all its efforts into pushing PGI Scotch beef and lamb into the nation’s supermarkets and discount chain stores - and thus undermining the fortunes of family-run businesses.
Scottish Federation of Meat Traders Association chief executive Douglas Scott said: “There is no doubt some of our members are far from happy with QMS.
“Because of the promotion of discounted Scotch beef in supermarkets and discounters it is less likely that family butchers will use the PGI logo. They don’t want to be associated with it.
“The main reason they are unhappy is that the majority of supermarkets and discount stores are selling beef way below the cost price in a bid to attract consumers. For example Tesco were selling silverside this week at £5 per kg when the true price should be £10 to £11 per kg.
“Our premium product is being sold as a discounted product and our craft butchers are finding it difficult to compete, although we would claim that our beef is better," said Mr Scott. “The majority of family butchers source their product from local farmers, mature it differently, and cut it differently.
“QMS know the federation’s position. Their defence is that it is their job to promote the Scotch brand and the supermarkets and discounters are its main target, but our members feel their efforts to promote the Scottish product are being devalued.”
Responding to this criticism, QMS said that it was working hard on behalf of the Scottish red meat industry to build a strong, wide-ranging market base for the industry’s products.
QMS chairman Jim McLaren said: “This approach means we work with a range of customers – from large multiple retailers to smaller independent butchers as well as developing export markets – all with the aim of maximising value from the carcase and ensuring a sustainable future for our industry.”
Mr McLaren said that QMS was very aware of the importance of the butcher sector to the Scottish red meat industry, a fact highlighted in recent weeks by the publication of new statistics which reveal annual sales from Scottish butchers are estimated to be £34.4million, accounting for almost 11 per cent of the retail market for fresh red meat in Scotland.
He pointed out that QMS currently has around 300 members of the Scottish Butchers Club and, as well as working with industry organisations including SFMTA, regularly seeks guidance from a “think tank” of independent butchers on the campaigns and activities QMS undertakes to support the sector.
Mr McLaren added: “Our activities aim to highlight the skills and talent of those working in the butchery sector, and their valuable community role, as well as encouraging and showcasing excellence and innovation.”
- For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday’s issue of The Scottish Farmer or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk
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