New Video Celebrates Scottish Livestock Farming’s Sustainability Credentials

To celebrate World Environment Day (June 5th 2018), Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has launched a video which celebrates the Scottish livestock industry’s positive sustainability credentials.

Jim McLaren, chairman of Quality Meat Scotland which promotes the Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork brands, said Scottish livestock farmers have a huge amount to be proud of in their role as sustainable food producers.

“Livestock farming in Scotland has enviable environmental credentials. The reality is around 80% of Scotland’s agricultural land is grass and rough grazing - unsuitable for growing cereals, vegetables or fruit but ideal for producing top quality beef and lamb.

“Leading environmentalists recognise the importance of livestock farming, particularly to Scotland’s hills and uplands, and the industry also supports around 50,000 Scottish jobs, many of which are in fragile rural locations.” The short, animated video also highlights the contribution the Scottish red meat industry makes to Scotland’s economy.

“Red meat production generates more than £2 billion for Scotland’s economy and our industry benefits from family farms run by farmers who share generations of livestock management skills and also embrace innovation and new technology,” he said.

Scotland’s livestock farmers were also, Mr McLaren observed, global pioneers in quality assurance, which brings with it guarantees on traceability and production methods which are the envy of the world. 

There are 10,000 members of the Scottish industry’s whole chain assurance scheme, which makes animal welfare a priority.

“What we offer from Scotland could not be more different to what is produced by the majority of our overseas competitors. Our industry has a huge amount to be proud of in terms of its sustainability messages,” said Mr McLaren.

The video can be viewed at https://qmscotland.co.uk/video-library and on QMS Twitter and Facebook social media feeds and QMS’s Moo Tube Channel.