STEVENSON CHALLENGES FINNIE ON BEEF LABELLING

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson raised the issue of clearer labelling for Scottish beef with Rural Affairs Minister Ross Finnie at Question Time in the Scottish Parliament.

The SNP MSP was speaking following recent concerns about inferior welfare standards in countries from which the big supermarkets are importing cheap foreign beef. Mr Stevenson was keen that the high standards to which Scottish beef is produced should be given greater prominence on the labelling of the product.

Speaking at Question Time in the Scottish Parliament, Stewart Stevenson said:

“Will the minister give some thought to the welfare standards under which our excellent Scottish beef is produced, given that those standards are substantially ahead of our main competitors in South America? Is there scope for introducing labelling about welfare standards so that people are aware, when they are making their purchasing decisions, of the conditions under which beef is produced for their plate?”

Minister for Rural Affais Ross Finnie responded:

“There are two elements to that. As I said in my response to Andrew Arbuckle, I stress to the supermarkets and to their representatives the high quality and high standards of animal health in Scottish produce, which Stewart Stevenson pointed out.

“The second element is that we have no powers beyond controlling safety or very basic standards in imported products. The World Trade Organisation does not accept our going above base levels to even higher standards unnecessarily; that would cause an issue.

“However, all Scottish producers and all those who promote red meat in Scotland are very clear about labelling so that consumers know exactly what they are getting. We should perhaps make the consumer more informed, not just about quality but about the associated issue of animal health and welfare standards.”