Scots livestock decline putting jobs, economy and food security at risk

Scotland’s meat wholesalers have issued a stark warning that the rural landscape of Scotland will undergo significant change if the ongoing decline in cattle numbers isn’t addressed as a matter of urgency.

Alan Brown, President of the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, speaking at the organisation’s annual conference at Ingliston on September 6, told industry, farming and government leaders that jobs, the Scottish economy and food security will all be impacted unless real action is taken the reverse the continuing downturn in livestock numbers.

Clear plan needed

Calling on the government for a clear action plan to boost livestock production in Scotland, he warned that mere words would no longer be sufficient.

“We need assurances that all future policies will be thoroughly valuated to ensure there is a platform for livestock growth in Scotland rather than the decline we’ve experienced for far too long,” he said.

“We also need increased collaboration across the whole rural industry, government included, if we’re to finally start to solve this problem. If, however, no action is taken then the critical mass of livestock in Scotland will continue to decrease and our national rural landscape is going to change.”

Mr Brown was followed on the conference platform by Quality Meat Scotland, Chief Executive, Sarah Millar and QMS Market Intelligence Manager, Iain Macdonald, who outlined the economic potential of Scotland’s beef sector, based on the results of the organisation’s recently published Red Meat Industry Profile report.

NFU Scotland, president, Martin Kennedy, also addressed the gathering on the potential of Scotland’s livestock industry if the right economic and policy conditions are created to enable the sector to move forward and reverse the current decline in livestock numbers.

See QMS conference press release on our Blog page