Meat producers call for government commitment to Scottish beef

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland and the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesales (SAMW) have released a joint appeal to the Scottish Government to commit to the meat industry in order to ensure lasting stability after the Brexit negotiations.

Having met on Monday to discuss the need for stability and profitability in the Scottish livestock sector, NFU Scotland and SAMW agreed the industry must unite to identify new opportunities, while promoting the positive image of the Scottish livestock production.

NFU Scotland president Andrew McCornick said after the consultation that everyone in the industry is concerned with the on-going uncertainty of Brexit, and mentioned that there is a general trend in the decline of livestock numbers.

“Livestock production continues to bring significant economic benefits to the communities of rural Scotland and I believe should play a significant part in Scotland’s ambition of achieving £30bn food and drink industry turnover by 2030,” McCornick said. “For this to happen we need to see the government work with industry to bolster Scottish production if we are to stop the decline in livestock numbers in lieu of greater imports from elsewhere.”

SAMW president Frank Clark added that although members of his organisation remain optimistic for the future of Scottish meat production and have heavily invested in both processing facilities and sales initiatives, he called for an increased collaboration and support to reverse the decline of cattle numbers.

“We need the Scottish Government and its Agriculture Champions to explore new, innovative and forward-thinking proposals that will incentivise farmers to rebuild their herds, ensuring that production is no longer stuck in decline,” said Clark.

“Without such action, Scotland’s farmers and processors will find themselves facing an increasingly intense period of post-Brexit meat trade competition without the raw materials to either secure sales domestically or contest for business in the international marketplace.

He added that the industry will need support from government resources in order to see an increase in production and fully capitalise on Scottish beef.