Reminder: next Lochaber Monitor Farm meeting to focus on liver fluke in sheep

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has recognized two importers for their longstanding loyalty and commitment to the Scottish red meat industry.

Good Meat, a Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI importer from Belgium and France-based Scottish beef importer Neo Viandes, received the awards from QMS Chief Executive Alan Clarke and QMS Chair Kate Rowell during a reception on the QMS stand in SIAL Paris, one of the world’s most influential food fairs.

Belgium-based Good Meat are a family business who have been buying Scotch Beef PGI and Scotch Lamb PGI from Kepak-McIntosh Donald since the late 1980s.

The company is a food wholesaler selling over 700 products to premium retailers, delicatessens and many of Belgium’s top chefs.

The other award recipient was Neo Viandes, supplied by Millers of Speyside. Neo Viandes, which was established in 2014 and has employees based in Cannes, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, imports Scottish beef and distributes to high-end restaurants, hotels, bars.

QMS Chief Executive, Alan Clarke, said: “Many congratulations to both Good Meat and Neo Viandes who are firm supporters of the Scottish red meat industry.

“It is vital that we continue to build on the already strong market presence in Belgium and France, and of course across Europe, to ensure that retailers and consumers are aware of the quality and provenance which underpins Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and the Scottish red meat industry as a whole.”

International Trade Fair Signals Strong Demand from Importers

The opening days of SIAL in Paris, one of the world’s largest food trade fairs, have seen a very encouraging level of interest for beef, lamb and pork from Scotland.

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) today (22nd October 2019) confirmed processors on their stand at this leading event on the global trade platform were receiving very strong interest from both existing and potential new overseas customers.

During a reception on the stand, QMS Chair Kate Rowell said this should send a positive signal to Scottish exporters and those working in the wider red meat industry in Scotland.

“This week we are continuing to focus on strengthening our relationships with our much-valued, long-established overseas customers who recognise all that sets our beef, lamb and pork apart,” said Mrs Rowell.

“This ranges from our quality assurance and animal welfare messages to our sustainability criteria. We will also continue to seek out and welcome new export opportunities,” she said.

The results of the annual exporters’ survey undertaken by QMS reveal the value of exports of beef and lamb over the past year (to October 2018) stands at around £75 million.

The EU accounted for 97.5% of beef exports by value and 98% by volume in the year to October 2018. During the year, fifth quarter product has had greater presence outside the EU, with non-EU markets accounting for 49% of sales by volume and 38% by value.

By far the largest markets for beef from Scotland were France and Monaco, Italy, and the Netherlands. Collectively these accounted for a combined 73% by value and 76.5% of the volume exported.

The average value per tonne of beef sold was highest to Austria and Germany, closely followed by Belgium and Luxembourg.

Sheepmeat exports from Scotland totaled over £30m, with the EU accounting for around 96% in volume and more than 97% of the value of sales.

A key opportunity presented by export markets is the demand for “fifth quarter” products for which demand on the domestic market is lower.

Overseas demand for these products is important in terms of driving value from the whole carcass, and during the past year exports of fifth quarter products generated over £5m.

The main markets for fifth quarter, according to the QMS figures, were France and Monaco and Hong Kong/Macau, which collectively accounted for more than two-thirds of revenue.

With an exhibition size of over 284,000 m², the SIAL trade fair attracts over 160,000 trade visitors from 194 countries, making it a major event for many of Europe’s most influential buyers.

The QMS presence at SIAL in Paris, as well as other international trade shows and activities, is funded by the £2 million fund of AHDB red meat levies ring-fenced for collaborative projects which is managed by the three GB meat levy bodies – AHDB, HCC and QMS.

The ring-fenced fund is an interim arrangement while a long-term solution is sought on the issue of levies being collected at point of slaughter in England, for animals which have been reared in Scotland or Wales.

Reminder: Next Lochaber Monitor Farm Meeting to Focus on Liver Fluke in Sheep

The effective control of liver fluke in sheep will be the focus of the next Lochaber Monitor Farm meeting on Thursday 1st November.

Chris and Malcolm Cameron run the 1,200 hectare Strone farm, Lochaber’s monitor farm, near Fort William. They have seen liver fluke in their sheep for many years and, like many farmers in the area, are keen to minimise its affects in their flock of 550 north cheviot ewes.

At the meeting next week, Matthew Colston, a ruminant technical consultant from ELANCO Animal Health, will give an overview of the problems liver fluke can cause in sheep and highlight practical steps farmers can take to minimise production losses from the parasite.

Mr Colston will also lead a discussion on the various fluke treatments available for both chronic and acute fluke infections in sheep and will be joined by Mairi Thom from Crown Vets, who will explain how sheep farmers can test for fluke in their own flocks.

The Lochaber Monitor Farm is one of nine monitor farms that have been established around Scotland in a joint initiative by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) and AHDB Cereals & Oilseeds. The aim of the programme, which is funded by Scottish Government, is to help improve the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Scottish farm businesses.

The meeting on 1 November will be held at Strone farm and will begin at 11am and finish around 3.30pm. Lunch will be provided. To book your attendance (and lunch!) please contact facilitators Niall Campbell or George Gauley on 01631 563093 or email fbsoban@sac.co.uk.