MSP ATTACKS BEEF IMPORTS ‘CULTURE’ OF MAJOR SUPERMARKETS

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has hit out at what he has termed the ‘imports culture’ of the major supermarket chains and the damage this is causing to the home beef industry.

Reports indicate a significant proportion of beef on supermarket shelves is now imported from South America, where farmers claim it is not produced to the same high quality standards as Scottish beef.

Speaking at Turriff Show, Mr Stevenson said:

“I am extremely concerned by the current situation facing beef farmers in my constituency. Currently, farmers are receiving less for their cattle than they were in 1995. That simply cannot be right.

“Sainsbury’s, for example, has apparently doubled its intake of beef from South America. Indeed, beef imports from Brazil increased by 29% to over 11,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2005.

“Our farmers have some of the highest quality standards and animal health welfare standards which they must comply with. Often, this has meant significant expenditure for them to comply with EU regulations. It is simply not acceptable that having spent thousands to produce a quality product to the highest welfare standards that the major supermarkets make a dive for cheap imports produced to lower standards when it looks like the price of home-produced beef is going to rise.

“The supermarket chains must act more responsibly and start living up to their claims that they support Scottish farmers.

“I give praise where praise is due and I must single out Morrisons who are deserving of a special mention for taking over and announcing an expansion of the former Kepak meat plant at Turriff.
“Their support of the local farming industry through their recent expansion announcement is welcome. I am sure that this will see an increase in the amount of quality North-east beef being sold and positive benefits accruing to the rural economy from it.”