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Wagons head for Europe again
12/10/2007
Scotch meat exports to Europe were resumed today
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said:
"This is a significant step forward for Scotland farmers and our livestock industry. It has been the toughest of times for them over the last two months and they have shown great patience and resilience.
"We are still working to loosen some of the onerous strings but the fact that Scottish meat is heading back to Europe is a major milestone on the road back to recovery.
"I made Scotland's case for a lifting of the export ban directly to the Commission in Brussels We have a limited resumption, subject to some restrictions but this is an opportunity which our farmers and processors will seize.
"It is great to see that wagons are being loaded again across the country and prime Scottish red meat will be back on the tables of restaurants and tables across Europe.
"We are making every effort to promote this and my colleague Michael Russell, Minister for Environment, will be raising the Scottish standard at ANUGA, the world's largest food fair, in Cologne on Sunday.
"The Scottish Government will continue to to do all it can to help the livestock industry get back normal including pressing for a full lifting of the ban including live exports.
"We have a long way to go to reach the export levels achieved a decade ago, but we have marvellous, high quality Scottish produce. The demand is there and we need to work hard to realise the full potential both at home and overseas."
Among the firms preparing early shipments are Scotbeef at Bridge of Allan and Vivers
of Annan and Sandyford in Paisley.