Hospitality experts team up to discuss pig sector

The meeting was called to provide an opportunity to exchange views on how the hospitality industry can work together to ensure the future sustainability of the pig sector. The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead and the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) agreed to attempt to improve food labelling, introduce a vaccination programme for pig wasting disease, and to set up a support scheme for producers continuing in business. Mr Lochhead commented: "I am acutely aware of the difficult situation the pig industry faces and I am committed to doing all we can to demonstrate our support for this vital sector." He added: "It is crucial we engage the whole food chain in finding solutions. We want to promote mutual understanding of the problems facing different parts of the supply chain." Other measures already underway include a £30,000 strategic review into the pig sector to develop market resilience, a £300,000 project to look at adding value to the fifth quarter in the red meat sector, and writing to all major retailers to ask what they are doing to help ensure the long-term sustainability of the pig sector. The meeting was held at the Scottish Parliament and was attended by representatives from the British Hospitality Association, Scottish Retail Consortium, Scottish Pig Producers, and the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders.