WIREDGOV

Promising opening discussions with the US over the long-standing import ban on authentic Scottish haggis have led to renewed hopes that Americans and expat Scots will soon be enjoying the national dish.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead re-opened the haggis debate on a visit to the US Department of Agriculture in Washington at the end of last year. He is continuing the campaign ahead of Burns night by inviting their officials to Scotland to see the high standards of the food industry.

Imports of Scotland's iconic dish have been banned in America for almost 40 years, and the move to allow authentic Scottish haggis into the US has been backed by big players in the industry, such as renowned haggis maker Macsween.

Mr Lochhead said:

"Since I first raised this matter in correspondence last year I've had further constructive discussions during my recent visit to Washington on how we can have the import ban on our national dish lifted.

"We want to capitalise on the diaspora of Scots in the US and many of them would enjoy the opportunity to indulge in authentic Scottish haggis to accompany their neeps and tatties on Burns night. That's why I'm continuing the campaign for our producers to gain access to this potentially lucrative market which could be worth millions of pounds to the Scottish economy.

"Scotland's produce is amongst the best in the world and I've asked U.S. Department of Agriculture officials to come here to see for themselves the high standards we have in animal health and processing.

"This will help them realise that our haggis is produced to the highest standards and that it's time to allow imports to resume."

Jo Macsween, Director of Macsween, said:

"In our experience, American visitors love our haggis when they taste it while in Scotland and it would be lovely if they could not only be permitted to take some home with them at the end of their stay here, but purchase it in America too.

"Of course, we would love to do business in America as we know have so many fans there."