Progress on butchers' labelling rights

THE problems over what can and cannot be claimed in the labelling of red meat may have moved closer to a solution after a meeting this week between representatives of the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders and the Scottish Government.

The big issue for the butchers is "voluntary claims". These are the boards and placards in their premises that proclaim the provenance of the cattle or sheep beyond that required by EU regulations – and sometimes in contravention of them.

There has been at least one case where a farm shop in the North-east of Scotland has had to remove this voluntary information.

The chief executive of the SFMTA, Douglas Scott, said there was agreement on simple options for butchers to substantiate claims and said his organisation had agreed to investigate a route whereby claims could be verified in the most efficient way possible.