Scottish government ‘committed’ to red meat sector

The Scottish government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting red meat production amid farmer concerns about rising costs and declining livestock numbers.

During the Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) breakfast event at the Royal Highland Show, first minister John Swinney emphasised the sector’s importance to the Scottish economy and national identity.

He acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers, but highlighted the potential for the red meat sector to strengthen its economic contribution.

See also: Red meat exports add billions to value of UK livestock

Despite a decade-long decline in livestock numbers, Mr Swinney said the Scottish government recognises the sector’s opportunities.

A “Team Scotland” approach aims to attract a skilled workforce, boost productivity, and reduce carbon emissions to ensure a sustainable future for agriculture.

“The red meat sector is, and always will be, an important contributor to the Scottish economy, as well as a key piece of our national identity,” Mr Swinney told delegates.

The Scottish government has set an ambitious target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture by 31% from 2019 levels by 2032, part of the broader goal to achieve net zero by 2050.

But Mairi Gougeon, cabinet secretary for rural affairs, told journalists that Scottish farmers and crofters will not be required to reduce stock numbers to meet this goal.

“The red meat industry is an important industry for us now and it will continue to be going forward,” she said.

Ms Gougeon said the Scottish government’s commitment to voluntary coupled support until at least 2028 showed that it was serious about supporting the red meat sector.

“It will continue until such time as that merges into the future framework, because we want to give them [farmers] that assurance that we support them going forward,” she added.

Quality Meat Scotland optimism

Sarah Millar, chief executive of QMS, told Farmers Weekly she was “very optimistic” about the future of livestock and red meat production in Scotland.

“The red meat sector is worth an estimated £2.8bn to the Scottish economy each year and this gives us a great platform for the future,” she said.

“I see climate change as the biggest opportunity that Scottish farming will ever have.

“The world is going to have to produce more nutrients and more calories from a smaller resource base and in Scotland we have the ability to do that.”

Ahead of the show, the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) said that over the past year its members had faced a “massive rise” in Official Veterinarian charges and a “huge uplift” in meat hygiene inspection costs.

SAMW president Alan Brown called on the Scottish government to address these cost increases, adding that there was an “urgent need to stabilise the industry”.