Quality Meat Scotland has stepped up its political engagement efforts ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections, bringing dozens of decision-makers face-to-face with the realities of farming and food production across the country.
Working alongside the Scottish Red Meat Resilience Group , Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) hosted a nationwide series of visits involving 74 MSPs, MPs, councillors and prospective candidates from across the political spectrum.
The initiative, which formed part of the wider 'Meating Our Potential' campaign, took politicians from the Central Belt to some of Scotland’s most remote farming areas – including Orkney, Mull and the Highlands – offering a direct insight into the £3.5 billion red meat sector.
Across 11 regional events, attendees were given a first-hand look at how the supply chain operates, as well as the challenges currently facing producers. From mixed livestock units in the north east and south of Scotland to skills development centres in Glasgow, each visit highlighted the diversity of the industry and the differing pressures in each region.
QMS chair Kate Rowell said the programme had underlined a growing willingness among politicians to better understand the sector.
She said: “There is a clear appetite across all parties to engage with the red meat sector and to recognise the role it plays not just economically, but within our rural communities and environment.
“For some, it was their first time on a working farm. That direct experience is invaluable in helping decision-makers appreciate the scale and complexity of modern agriculture.”
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Feedback from those attending was said to be overwhelmingly positive, with several acknowledging they had not previously grasped the full socio-economic contribution of the supply chain within their own constituencies.
Key issues raised throughout the visits included ongoing labour shortages, concerns around long-term skills gaps, and the need to encourage more young people into the industry. There were also calls for stronger links between education and agriculture, with greater emphasis on food production and sustainability in schools.
Farm visits took in a wide geographical spread, including units in Linlithgow, Pathhead, Easter Ross, Fraserburgh, Kilmacolm, Port William, Westruther, Mull, Orkney and Blairgowrie, alongside a skills-focused event at City of Glasgow College.
QMS said the success of the programme was down in no small part to the willingness of farmers to open their gates and speak candidly about both the opportunities and pressures facing the sector.
The organisation believes maintaining that direct line of communication between producers and policymakers will be crucial in shaping informed policy decisions in the years ahead.
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