WIREDGOV

Seal of approval given to Scottish products.

Scotch Beef will soon be available to consumers in the United States of America for the first time in nearly 20 years.

It follows a decision from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to re-open its market to EU beef and other bovine products following a ban put in place in the 1990s.

Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

“This is a massive breakthrough and one we keenly welcome – the Scottish Government has been pushing hard for this for a number of years.

“Scotch Beef is among the best in the world and its provenance is unrivalled, ensuring the highest standards and quality.

“I’m delighted that these long standing trade barriers have been lifted. Scotch Beef has been off the menu in the USA for far too long and the re-opening of an extremely lucrative market is a tremendous opportunity to expand our beef exports and one which I am keen for the industry to grasp.

“We look forward to the USA agreeing to the resumption of imports of other iconic Scottish products such Scotch Lamb and haggis, and this deal on beef may well be an important step forward to achieving that.

“Of course, there are still a few technical details of this beef agreement to be ironed out – such as heath certificates – so it will be next year at the earliest before any export activity starts. So it vitally important to Scotland’s hard pressed red meat industry that the UK Government and Owen Paterson start to put the necessary staff and procedures in place now to avoid any unnecessary delay.”

Anne MacColl, Chief Executive of Scottish Development International, said: “ Scottish Beef was among the first European red meat products to be awarded the coveted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status over 25 years ago and is recognised as being world class.

“The US continues to be the largest single export market for Scottish goods and services and food and drink exports to the US increased by 30 per cent in 2012 to just under £1bn. The opportunity for Scotland’s beef industry is therefore significant and we will continue to work with Scottish producers to support their growth into new markets and capitalise on global opportunities.”