Red meat firms get up to speed on paperwork

A group of Scottish red meat companies have been given a crash course in export trade paperwork in a bid to prepare the industry for life after Brexit.

Seven companies attended a workshop, organised by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) in collaboration with Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, to learn more about exporting to “third countries”.

This is the term used in trade treaties when referring to a country that is not a member of the European Union.

It is used in the sense of one country not party to an agreement between two other countries.

The meat companies were shown how to be more confident in export trade paperwork, which is needed to allow access to these markets.

“Demand is strengthening for Scotch beef PGI and Scotch lamb PGI, with the value of exports of beef and lamb from Scotland increasing to over £80 million in 2017,” said QMS director of strategic engagement, Laurent Vernet.

“It is important that our industry is in a strong position to welcome new export opportunities and give our processors the information and knowledge needed to develop their business.”

He added: “Future and current free trade agreements involve the use of specific paperwork that until now the Scottish red meat industry did not need.

“This workshop is the opportunity to strengthen this knowledge and confidence in using them.”