Showing off local produce

Scotland’s local produce is playing a key part in the country’s food revolution and we should all do more to promote it, according to the Rural Affairs Secretary.

Richard Lochhead has written to all 108 agricultural shows taking place in Scotland this year to ensure as much Scottish food as possible is sold at the events.

He also announced nearly £5,000 in funding for the Crail Food Festival through the Community Food Fund, which is funded by the Scottish Government.

Speaking at the NFUS AGM in St Andrews, Mr Lochhead said:

“The raw materials needed for our food and drink industry is provided in communities across Scotland, enabling us to supply high quality products that are in great demand across the world.

“Much of this spectacular produce is right here on our own doorstep, from Scotch Beef and Lamb, to Scottish farmed salmon, and many other Scottish foods, not to mention the best malt whiskies in the world.

“With a surge in the number of food tents at events, showcasing our food and drink is now a major part at many of our famous agricultural shows. However, it would be fantastic to see as much as possible of the food and drink sold at our shows being locally produced, and be able to tell people of its journey from farm to fork and grain to glass. That’s why I have written to all of our shows, asking them to do this where possible and participate in our food revolution.

“Scotland’s food provenance is a major selling point and we know visitors prefer to buy food and drink with a story behind it – where, when, how and by whom it was produced. Local produce is key to that and Fife is playing its part in this success story.

“I was delighted that Ardross Farm Shop near Elie was recently awarded the UK Farm Shop of the Year; and today I can announce that I’m granting Crail Food Festival £4,750 through the Community Food Fund to enrich what is already a really great showcase and celebration of Fife’s fabulous produce.

“Scotland’s food and drink is up there with the very best and I want our agricultural shows and local events to work with us and cement our reputation as a Land of Food and Drink. High quality products from our natural larder will create a highly enjoyable experience, so let’s make 2014 a year to remember.”

More than 90 per cent of supermarket shoppers say it is important major retailers in Scotland stock Scottish red meat, according to the results of a new survey.

The poll of 1,000 customers also found that more than half of those questioned were willing to pay a higher price for Scottish branded produce.

It comes as Scotland’s Food Minister Richard Lochhead urged supermarkets to make it easier for consumers to identify whether they are buying Scottish-produced meat. His call follows the publication of a Scottish Government supermarket audit carried out in the wake of the horsemeat scandal which looked at the labels of almost 4,000 own-brand cooked and raw red meat products sold by 10 major retailers.

Mr Lochhead said:

“It’s great news for Scotland’s meat producers that 90 per cent of supermarket shoppers think it is important that major retailers stock Scottish red meat – with more than half of those questioned willing to pay higher prices. We also know that following the horsemeat scandal three quarters of consumers in Scotland said trust the Scotch brand.

“Supermarkets are now stocking much more Scottish red meat than they used to, and we have been working closely with them to achieve this. However, our snapshot audit found an inconsistent approach to labelling own-brand red meat products on supermarket shelves.

“Whilst our audit found that more than 40 per cent of raw beef carried Scottish labelling, no ready meals at all had Scottish country of origin labels. This is a real missed opportunity for retailers and consumers alike, especially as the horsemeat scandal primarily involved processed food.

“The Scottish Government, Scotland Food and Drink and Quality Meat Scotland will continue to work with retailers to ensure that consumers can identify Scottish meat products on supermarket shelves, and we intend to repeat this audit on an annual basis to ensure progress continues to be made. We shall use these results to inform our work with the Food Standard Agency to drive best practice on labelling on food products more generally.”

James Withers, Scotland Food and Drink chief executive, said:

“The level of support amongst the Scottish public for the country’s food and drink reflects a growing national pride in what we’re producing. These survey figures are higher than any I have seen before and are a sign of an ongoing revolution in our food and drink industry. My hope is that this clear signal of demand from Scotland’s shoppers will only add further momentum to the work we’ve been doing with supermarkets to showcase Scottish food and drink. We’ve targeted a further £1 billion in sales of Scottish produce in the UK by 2017; this is another sign that we are right to be ambitious.”

Jim McLaren, chairman of Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), said:

“It is heartening to see a further increase in the number of people who believe locally-sourced red meat is important to them.

“Even more encouraging is the increased percentage of people who are now prepared to pay more for locally-sourced, high quality produce. Supermarkets who build their success on consumers’ demands are getting a very clear signal, which we need to keep building on.”

The Scotpulse poll of 1,013 supermarket customers was carried out on behalf of Scotland Food and Drink in January. It found:
• 93.7 per cent of those questioned said it was very or fairly important major supermarkets stocked Scottish red meat
• 54.7 per cent of those questioned said they would be prepared at least ten per cent more for Scottish-branded food and drink

The Red Meat Retailer Audit was carried out on behalf of the Scottish Government by Scotland Food and Drink in May/ June 2013. A total of 3,926 own-brand products – including pre-packed cooked and raw meat, deli and butcher counter products, pate, pies and ready meals – were surveyed at stores including Aldi, ASDA, Co-op/ Scotmid, Iceland, Lidl, M&S, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Tesco and Waitrose.

In a IGD survey for QMS, conducted in October 2013, 75 per cent of Scottish consumers agreed that the Scotch logo is for a meat you can trust.

Scotland’s dairy farmers will have access to top class training and information with the creation of the new Scottish Dairy Bureau.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead has today revealed a full-time manager will be appointed to head up the one-stop-shop for farmers, which will open for business on April 1, 2014. £50,000 has been made available to fund the Bureau.

It was one of the recommendations made in the Ambition 2025 report published following a review into the dairy sector by Scotland Food & Drink Chief Executive James Withers.

Speaking at the NFUS AGM in St Andrews, Mr Lochhead said:

“I’m delighted to announce yet further progress in the journey to transforming Scotland’s dairy sector.

“The Scottish Dairy Bureau will act as a one-stop-shop for information, advice and training for Scotland’s dairy farmers, and those who express an interest in becoming involved in this important field of our agricultural landscape.

“It’s crucial that, as we seek to position Scotland’s dairy products in international markets, there is a forum where key players can network and build relationships for the good of our dairy sector.

“The steps we are taking will harness the enormous potential it has and transform its capability to become a global leader into a reality.”

Mr Lochhead recently appointed Paul Grant, chairman of the internationally successful jam and marmalade manufacturer Mackays, as the chairman of the Scottish Dairy Growth Board. His remit includes looking at ways to grow the dairy sector, access new markets and significantly grow its output and profitability.