GORDON DAVIDSON

SCOTLAND'S RED meat promotion body, Quality Meat Scotland, has issued a very clear message of “business as usual” in the aftermath of the EU referendum vote.

Jim McLaren, chairman of the public body responsible for promoting PGI-labelled Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb brands in the UK and abroad and also promoting Scottish pork products under the Specially Selected Pork logo, said this week that the organisation was making it an absolute priority to ensure that the customers of this country's red meat industry were left in no doubt that it remained open for business in the wake of the UK vote in favour of Brexit.

“During a recent meeting of our board members, convened specifically to discuss the Brexit vote outcome, a range of areas relating to the different parts of the Scottish red meat chain were discussed," reported Mr McLaren. "It is clear that, while there are still a great many unknowns, our industry is in a good position to adapt to the period of change in the months to come.”

Mr McLaren said the Scottish industry has worked hard, over many decades, to build strong brands and to produce top quality products which have earned an 'iconic' global reputation.

“This includes our long-established relationships with customers in our export markets around the globe as well as elsewhere in the UK," he said. "The value of forging these close relationships shines through during times of change, and it is important that our industry continues to maintain very open channels of communication with customers. The ‘business as usual’ message is loud and clear.”

Mr McLaren also said there was no reason to believe the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status of Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb, awarded under European Union-administered schemes, would be changed.

“There are numerous examples of non-EU member countries with products which benefit from PGI status - from Colombian coffee to Indian tea. We see no reason why Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI, which were among the first meats in Europe to be awarded PGI status, should not continue to benefit from PGI status as long as the necessary production criteria are in place.”

Mr McLaren emphasised that QMS remains fully committed to its core remit of working to shape a prospering and sustainable Scottish red meat industry: “As an industry in Scotland we have worked hard to build strong brands and to produce top quality products which have earned an iconic global reputation.

“We are determined to ensure these brands, with their long-established, robust foundations, continue to be well-placed to adapt and grow in the new political landscape as it unfolds.”

For in-depth news and views on Scottish agriculture, see this Friday’s issue of The Scottish Farmer or visit www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk