SCOTCH Beef and Scotch Lamb are the two most important brands in Scottish agriculture and readers of The National will be aware that a lot of effort has gone into making these brands internationally renowned.

Now The National’s Save Our Scotland Brand campaign can reveal that the continuing success of Scotland’s high-quality red meat brands may depend on farmers producing more livestock for the market.

There is not a supply crisis or anything like it but industry leaders have called for more livestock production to safeguard Scotch meat’s future regardless of what happens with Brexit.

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Frank Clark, President of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW), said: “Our greatest business strength lies in the fact that our end product is as superb as ever with a great global reputation and definite scope for growth.

“Sadly, securing new markets in the post-Brexit era won’t be possible, irrespective of the agreed exit terms, unless we also have an increased supply of necessary raw materials on which to stamp our renowned Scotch brand. Imagine the frustration for our members if we actually get a good final deal with Brussels and then have nothing to sell on the back of it.”

The SAMW says that Scotland’s red meat industry’s mantra shoud be ‘livestock, livestock, livestock’ which the Association calls “a simple and direct request which has hinted at being met in recent years but remains frustratingly out of reach.”

Clark added: “Just as house buyers are encouraged to think ‘location, location, location’ when considering a new investment, our members see a sustained and reliable upturn in livestock numbers as the number one requirement for the future success of Scotland’s red meat industry.

“The fact that an increase in livestock numbers is also our second and third most important 2018 requirement, puts everything else our industry will face next year into its proper context, including Brexit.

“We would obviously welcome a good red meat deal on Brexit, ideally agreed in 2018; alongside a reduction in red tape; a more collaborative approach from the regulatory authorities and a few other things as well. “For most of our members, however, the over-whelming need for a stronger supply of Scottish livestock is the issue which overhangs red meat business planning and investment decisions as never before.”

The outcome of Brexit negotiations will be hugely important for Scotch-branded meat production, especially the workforce, according to Clark.

He stated: “The negotiations in London and Brussels continue to progress slowly, but are now starting to yield a few hints of encouragement, not least the agreement reached over the secured status of EU nationals currently working in the UK. This includes many valued employees on which SAMW member companies rely. Our post-Brexit requirement for sustained access to EU workers also needs to be addressed, of course, and we will keep arguing that case.

“As a business sector we secured good progress in 2017, headlined by Scotland gaining BSE negligible risk status in July 2017, the lowest risk level rating available.

“We also secured a nine per cent growth in beef export values, alongside a four per cent increase in export volumes, both excellent figures in the midst of a volatile year for the national economy.”

To get involved with our Save Our Scotland Brand campaign email us at community@thenational.scot