SCOTTISH BEEF deserves an early upgrade to the highest possible health status because its herd has been BSE-free since 2002 – even if that upgrade means leaving English and Welsh beef years behind.
Answering a call from the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers requesting action on the lingering legacy of the BSE crisis, Scottish Secretary for Rural Economy, Fergus Ewing, announced that a consultation is to take place to examine the case for Scotland being moved from its current 'controlled risk' status to the altogether more appealing 'negligible risk' bracket.
SAMW pointed out that the last confirmed BSE case in Scotland involved an animal born in 2002, which contrasts with the last confirmed BSE case in Great Britain having involved an animal born in 2009. 
The wholesalers argued that Scotland’s ‘all-clear’ seven-year advantage should be recognised by the prompt granting of negligible risk status for the country’s livestock, rather than having to wait until England and Wales qualify for their upgrade in four years’ time, according to current projections. Northern Ireland is also seeking a move into the ‘negligible risk’ bracket due to its equally impressive all-clear record.
“We have asked the Cabinet Secretary for a meeting to discuss our BSE status as soon as possible,” said SAMW president, Allan Jess. “We believe the case for Scotland moving to ‘negligible risk’ is extremely strong, based on our BSE record, and would hope the Cabinet Secretary will support us in raising our status to the highest possible level in the shortest time possible.”
SAMW said that it had presented Mr Ewing with a detailed analysis of the market, economic and whole-chain benefits which would result from a move to ‘negligible risk’ status.
The key benefits it identified included the reputational gain from enhancing the Scottish product's already disease-free image, which in turn would help with the removal of obstacles when negotiating access to new markets, particularly in the most lucrative global markets,
In markets where some trade already existed, the negligible risk tag would make for easier access, and give Scotland a deserved trading advantage over competitors from ‘controlled risk’ countries, and equal trading status with other ‘negligible risk countries.
Of keen interest to the abattoir sector would be the long-awaited escape from costly Specified Risk Materials removal procedures, and reduction of the associated SRM disposal costs, which would, said SAMW, mean better returns for other links in the supply chain.
“Scotland’s meat and livestock industry is already perceived abroad as having a clean healthy image and producing wholesome high quality produce,” said Mr Jess. “This image has been enhanced in recent years through our achieving of TB free status and BVD free status, resulting in significant benefits in accessing new export markets and capturing new customers in existing markets. 
“While it’s difficult to place a precise financial value on the benefit to Scotland’s image of gaining the desired ‘negligible risk’ BSE status, we believe it would be substantial," he said. "The major meat export plants in Scotland, for example, have indicated that gaining ‘negligible risk’ would be a significant key to unlocking the gate to new third country opportunities. 
“In seeking to address this issue with the Cabinet Secretary, therefore, SAMW is optimistic that, by working together, we can unlock some important and valuable markets to the all-round benefit of Scotland’s livestock and meat industry.”
On the first day of the show – before the EU referendum result – Mr Ewing said: "Our red meat industry is already an export success story with France, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands taking around 75% of our beef and 87% of our lamb.
"But I believe we can do more and that we should be trying to open up new export markets – there should be nn no-go areas for Scottish produce either in the developed or developing world.
"Clearly there are hurdles to overcome, we need to give careful consideration to all the risks this might entail, and there is a long process ahead of us."