Reacting to reports of uncertainty in the beef market and concerns about the welfare standards of imported pork, NFU Scotland have highlighted the potential dangers of imported meat replacing high quality Scottish produce.

It has been suggested that, as a result of changes to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) introduced this year, finished beef cattle are coming on to the market earlier than expected at a time when retailers have already committed themselves to imports of South American beef. The result is that prices to Scottish farmers have fallen because the market is temporarily oversupplied. Scottish farmers are keen to continue to produce high quality beef, as shown by the rise in cattle numbers over the last year. However, the concern is that, at a time when they are considering their long term plans, the poor prices they are currently receiving may cause them to cut back production, leaving the UK more dependent on imported beef not produced to the same high standards. This is at a time when concern is being expressed that imports of pork, two-thirds of which does not conform to UK welfare standards, have risen by 50%.

NFU Scotland President, John Kinnaird, said:

"We have a product that is second to none in terms of quality, safety and welfare standards. But if Scottish farmers find that the price they are receiving makes beef production unprofitable, they will not go on producing it. This would not be in the best interests of consumers, who have consistently said they overwhelmingly support the view that imported meat should meet the same high welfare standards as British farmers."

"Relying on imports from South America will also have environmental consequences. There is already evidence that the Amazon rainforest is being destroyed to increase agricultural production, and imported food from South America has to travel thousands of miles, adding to greenhouse gas emissions. Both of these factors only add to climate change problems, illustrating the complete lack of logic of those who argued at the G8 summit last week for the elimination of all agricultural subsidies, rather than just those that are trade-distorting. We can and must address the problems of Africa, but without sacrificing our own food industry and relying on lower standard imports that cause environmental damage."