QMS issues assurance over PGI status

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has once more tried to allay industry fears that the decision to leave the EU could hamper the Scottish red meat industry.

The red meat levy body’s chairman, Jim McLaren, has repeated his assertion that the famed Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb brands can continue to benefit from protected geographical indication (PGI) status outside of Europe, and that industry is working hard to communicate a ‘business as usual’ message to customers across the world.

He said the Scottish red meat industry had worked hard, over many decades, to build strong brands and to produce top quality products.

“This includes our long-established relationships with customers in our export markets around the globe as well as elsewhere in the UK,” said Mr McLaren.

“The value of forging these close relationships shines through during times of change, and it is important that our industry continues to maintain very open channels of communication with customers.”

“The business as usual message is loud and clear.”

Mr McLaren said farmers need not worry about losing the benefits they enjoy in producing PGI status Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb.

“There are numerous examples of non-EU member countries with products which benefit from Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status – from Colombian coffee to Indian tea,” added Mr McLaren.

“We see no reason why Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI, which were among the first meats in Europe to be awarded PGI status, should not continue to benefit from PGI status as long as the necessary production criteria are in place.”

Lastly, the red meat chief said QMS was fully committed to ensuring the two famed red meat brands were “well-placed to adapt and grow in the new political landscape as it unfolds”.