Quality Meat Scotland sets out its stall to supply 2012's Olympians

IT MAY be more than two years away but athletes competing in the 2012 London Olympic Games may have the opportunity to taste Scottish beef and lamb.

The industry lobby organisation, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has registered as a potential supplier for the Games, which are expected to bring some 30,000 athletes and coaches to London.

It has been estimated that in the course of the Games, more than 75,000 supply-chain opportunities, totalling about 8 billion, will be awarded and Quality Meat Scotland wants to see visiting athletes getting the chance to taste some of the world's best red meat.

Laurent Vernet, head of marketing for QMS, said: "London 2012 and the upcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games are both great opportunities for Scottish products to shine at one of the world's most prestigious events.

"With thousands of hungry athletes to feed over the three weeks of the Games, what better way is there to highlight the quality of our nation's food than by sourcing their red meat from Scotland?

"With the internationally regarded PGI status held by Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb, they would be the perfect calibre of product to serve to the thousands of top sportspeople and trainers coming to London for the Games."

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: "It's great to see QMS rising to the challenge and offering Scottish red meat companies expert advice on how to strike gold and benefit from such high-profile events. Sporting events – including the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – present an ideal opportunity to enhance our credentials as a land of food and drink."