Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has issued a “business as usual” message to the Scottish red meat industry’s customers, stating that it is an absolute priority to ensure there is no doubt about this, in the light of the UK’s Brexit decision.
“It is clear that, while there are still a great many unknowns, our industry is in a good position to adapt to the period of change in the months to come,” said QMS chairman, Jim McLaren, speaking after a meeting of the QMS board, convened specifically to discuss the Brexit vote outcome.
“The Scottish industry has worked hard, over many decades, to build strong brands and to produce top quality products which have earned an iconic global reputation. This includes our long-established relationships with customers in our export markets around the globe as well as elsewhere in the UK.
“The value of forging these close relationships shines through during times of change, and it is important that our industry continues to maintain very open channels of communication with customers. The ‘business as usual’ message is loud and clear.”
Commenting on the importance of Scotch brands which currently have Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, Mr McLaren (pictured above) also said there was no reason to believe this would change in the future.
“There are numerous examples of non-EU member countries with products which benefit from PGI status – from Colombian coffee to Indian tea,” he said, adding that QMS was determined to ensure its brands, with their long-established, robust foundations, continue to be “well-placed to adapt and grow in the new political landscape as it unfolds”.