Recent movements in the prime pork market highlight the complexity of the red meat industry and how international trade, animal health and consumer demand all interrelate with each other.

All these factors have impacted on the European pig industry over the past few years.  Initially, outbreaks of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Eastern Europe led to a banning of pigmeat imports by Russia in 2014, and heavy culling of the herd in affected areas. Although considered to be illegal by the World Trade Organisation, this restriction still applies.

The intrinsic role of livestock production in Scotland as part of the solution to tackling climate change is being emphasised by Quality Meat Scotland (QMS).

Speaking in response to the Committee on Climate Change report published today (May 2^nd, 2019) Alan Clarke, QMS Chief Executive, said it was vital that full recognition was given to the part  livestock producers can play in achieving the new emissions targets.

Mr Clarke said the report’s recommendation that Scotland can achieve net-zero emissions by 2045 and has greater potential to remove emissions from its economy than the UK overall, heralds the start of a new chapter in the climate change debate.