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Support for pig sector
09/04/2008
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has given its backing to strengthen engagement with Scotland's pig industry.
The leading retail industry body has agreed to ask its members if they can join with caterers, processors and wholesalers to look at further discussion on the long-term sustainable future of the pig sector.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead secured the BRC's commitment at a meeting yesterday. This latest move follows a sustained effort by the Cabinet Secretary to support the Scottish pig industry.
Other measures already underway include:
- A £30,000 strategic review into the pig sector to help develop market resilience
- A £300,000 project to look at adding value to the fifth quarter in the red meat sector
- Writing to all major retailers to ask what they are doing to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the pig sector
- Highlighting the difficulties facing the pig sector at the highest levels in the European Commission
Speaking from a meeting with the pig industry in Oldmeldrum, Mr Lochhead said:
"I am grateful for this opportunity today to meet with pig sector bodies to discuss how we can work together on addressing the current issues. I am highly aware of the difficult situation the industry find itself in at this time and I am committed to doing all we can to demonstrate our support for this vital sector.
"In the meantime I urge the retail trade to support pig producers in their hour of need. We hope that all retailers will continue to show respect for the high standards of welfare and animal husbandry that are required and ably demonstrated by the Scottish pig sector.
"I have also asked the British Retail Consortium to approach its members to attend a meeting to discuss the sustainability of the pig sector in Scotland. They have agreed to take this proposal forward with its members.
"Such a meeting, alongside caterers, processors and wholesalers, will help forge valuable links between parties and provide an opportunity for producers to present their situation to retailers.
"I have written to retailers to ask what they are doing to help support the future of the sector and I am aware that a number of them have already taken positive steps. It is vital we now engage the whole of the food sector in this discussion to help support the pig industry.
"I have also taken forward a number of other practical measures to assist the industry in the long-term. I have commissioned a £30,000 strategic review into the pig sector in Scotland to help add value and develop market resilience and I have also agreed funding for a major £300,000 project to maximise value of red meat through making best use of the 'fifth quarter' at abattoir level.
"This is in addition to work already underway by Quality Meat Scotland to build on public support for the Scottish pig industry by promoting 'Specially Selected Pork'. I attended an event in Glasgow to further publicise this campaign last week.
"Scottish-only solutions are not easy to find for this Europe-wide problem and the European Commission has introduced export refunds for pork products to further relief the pressure on the sector. However there are constraints on what assistance can be given due to state aid rules and the Scottish Government must work within the boundaries of European competition law in dealing with these issues."
The meeting held in Oldmeldrum was attended by NFU Scotland, Scottish Pig Producers, Scotlean, the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers and Quality Meat Scotland.
A total of £30,000 has been committed to a review of the pig industry by the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) and £300,000 to a fifth quarter added value project, both of which will benefit the pig industry in the long-term.
Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is a Non Departmental Public Body responsible for the promotion and development of the Scottish red meat industry. A campaign to promote Specially Selected Scottish pork is underway to help the Scottish pig industry.