IF THE Scottish summer does decide to coincide with at least one more weekend this year, last chance barbecues can rely on a good supply of high quality Scotch Beef burgers.

The latest shelfwatch undertaken by NFU Scotland members and staff has found that clearly labelled Scottish burgers were available in the majority of large supermarket chains, with Tesco and Aldi identified as the two retailers in which shoppers were guaranteed that any burgers they bought would be Scottish.

Scotch beef burgers were also on offer in Morrisons, the Co-op and Lidl. While not labelled as Scotch, all burgers in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Marks and Spencers were British. Only in Asda were the majority of burgers surveyed not marked with any clear country of origin – but British ones were also available.

Outside the supermarkets, those buying their burgers from their local butcher, farm shop or farmers market can just about be guaranteed that it will be Scottish meat that is going on the grill.

Commenting on the results, NFUS livestock committee chairman Charlie Adam said: “While many will use their local butcher or farm shop to source their meat, it is encouraging for anyone planning a barbie that the vast majority of large retailers in Scotland also offer Scotch beef burgers

“It was unfortunate that the origin of some of the burgers available in Asda was not apparent from the label – something we have raised with the retailer - and this is why we think it is important for shoppers that we see clear Country of Origin Labelling for processed meats introduced in the UK.

“I would urge all of those retailers who do not currently offer Scotch Beef Burgers to go back to their own supply chain and make sure they offer burgers from Scotland in their Scottish stores.”