SIAL REPORT: £170,000 Grant to Promote Scotch Beef
FRANCE - A push to promote Scotch beef in key European markets was announced at the SIAL exhibition in Paris yesterday.
21 October 2008
2 minute read
Richard Lockhead, the Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary announced a £170,000 grant to Quality Meat Scotland to relaunch the product in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The move follows last year's ban on exports in the wake of the foot and mouth disease outbreak in England.
The grant is part of a £4 million package to the Scottish food and drink industry including £1 million to the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society, £20,000 to the Rannoch Smokery and £130,000 for Simon Howie Butchers.
"We must continue to support this vital industry, particularly inn the current economic climate," Mr Lockhead said.
He added that it was essential for Scotland to develop a food policy to take advantage of market opportunities.
QMS chief executive Uel Morton said: This is excellent news and means we are able to continue our work on the ground in Europe helping Scottish red meat companies rebuild the export trade for Scottish beef in our target countries of France, Italy and the Benelux countries."
He added that sales of beef remain down and have not yet recovered from the trading ban imposed during the foot and mouth disease outbreak.
"This makes it even more important to have dedicated agents in these countries speaking to potential importers about Scotch beef and acting as a direct link to Scottish companies who are interested in supplying the export market."
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