Beef back on sale in Canada as steakhouse updates its menu

In a move which has been welcomed by the industry, Scotch Beef is once more being sold in Canada for the first time in 24 years, the Scottish Government revealed yesterday.

For while Canada lifted its ban on UK beef exports in November 2015, before Scotch Beef could be exported to Canada it was compulsory to undergo a lengthy process including inspections and approvals of Scottish production facilities undertaken by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which have only now been successfully completed. As a result, Scotch Aberdeen Angus is now star billing on the menu at steakhouse Jacob’s & Co in Toronto, Ontario, making it the first Canadian restaurant to offer the treat from what many Canadians still regard as the mother country since a ban on UK beef imports was imposed in 1996 due to the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) scare.

In addition specialty grocer Denninger’s has also reintroduced Scotch Beef to its fresh meat counters across its five stores in Ontario, supplied by West Lothian-based processor AK Stoddarts.

Commenting on the success of the push to get exports rolling once again, rural economy secretary Fergus Ewing said:“i’m delighted that, after 24 years, Scotch Beef is now available in a Canadian restaurant and can be bought in stores alongside some of the finest global produce. Since Canada reopened its market, we have been committed to connecting key buyers and retailers with Scotch Beef farmers.”

He said that the move was a result of significant work by many to support Scottish producers to engage potential Canadian buyers, including Quality Meat Scotland.