This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Food Minister in Paris to push for export of Scotch beef
23/10/2006
Scottish Food Minister Ross Finnie is attending an international food and drink exhibition in Paris today to support the export of red meat from Scotland.
Speaking at a Quality Meat Scotland reception at the Salon International de L'Alimentation exhibition, Mr Finnie said:
"Ten years ago Scotch beef was regarded as one of world's top quality products. It was in great demand in the leading butchers and restaurants of the world.
"Since the resumption of the beef export market in May this premium product has secured its place, once again, in export markets across the world. Recent figures show that between May and August this year we have exported £2.8 million worth of Scotch beef.
"Scotland has much to be proud of in its fine produce and the way we are attacking the market. We are a small nation but our products are amongst the best in the world and we will continue to increase the export figures of Scotch beef to Europe and even further afield."
Background
Salon International de L'Alimentation (SIAL) is an international food and drink trade exhibition. It is taking place in Paris from 22 to 26 October.
Beef exports to key EU markets re-opened in early May. By late June around £1m worth of beef had been sold. Trade continued steadily in July and August when it is estimated that a further £1.8 million (£2.5 million) of beef was exported. The main trading partners in this period were Italy, France and Benelux.
The SIAL visit is one in a series of engagements undertaken by the Food Minister in conjunction with Quality Meat Scotland in order to support the beef industry on its return to the European market. Earlier in the year Mr Finnie hosted events in Brussels, Monaco, Rotterdam and Bologna.