HAGGIS is set to return to American dinner tables by 2017 after the US Government indicated that it is willing to lift a ban on Scotch lamb.
The Americans imposed a ban on lamb from the UK in 1989 as a result of the BSE crisis, while sheep's lung has been outlawed as a product for human consumption since the 1970s.
While the ban on sheep's lung will remain in force, allowing lamb imports will offer haggis producers the chance to come up with a 'tweaked' recipe that does not include the traditional ingredient.
It is hoped that opening up the US market will be worth millions to domestic producers, with a large Scottish diaspora in America of around 10 million people and Burns Night widely celebrated.
Environment secretary Richard Lochhead is currently in America and has held a series of meetings with Lisa Mensah, an Under Secretary in the US Department of Agriculture, and the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. He said they had now confirmed draft rules will be published next year which will pave the way for Scotch Lamb and haggis to be back on US tables within 24 months.
He added: "Getting back into the US market in 2017 would unlock a huge market and millions of pounds of business for our Scotch Lamb and haggis producers.
"Scotch Lamb is among the best in the world and the Scotch label is seen as a real hallmark of quality, and getting back into the US market would be a real breakthrough. I was pleased to hear from Under Secretary Mensah and the Animal and Plant Health Inspectorate Service that they will publish the draft rules next year to pave the way for the return of Scotch Lamb and haggis onto US plates.
"We know that around 10 million US citizens claim Scottish heritage so we have a ready made market with them and with Scots at heart. Of course exports to the US will also be a real boost for producers and farmers and benefit our economy."
Mr Lochhead was accompanied by James Macsween of Macsween of Edinburgh, a leading producer of the national dish, with representatives of the National Sheep Association and the National Farmers Union of Scotland also among the delegation.
Mr Macsween said: "Macsween of Edinburgh are very excited about the prospect of exporting haggis to the US within the next 24 months. It will be a massive opportunity for us and the industry."
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