PROOF that promoting and defending Scotland the Brand is gaining in importance has come with the news that the Scottish meat industry is to once again have its own Scotch Brand ‘Oscar’ for which entries are now being sought.
The National recently highlighted how important Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb’s Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status is within the European Union and how Brexit threatens that status, with Scottish Brexit minister Mike Russell pledging to do everything possible to preserve the precious PGI marks.
Now as part of the Scotland Food & Drink 2018 Excellence Awards, the search is on for the best product made with Scotch Beef or Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork.
Industry body Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is supporting the “Scotch Brand Product of the Year” which aims to recognise businesses in Scotland which are retailing Scotch Beef or Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork in products of exceptional taste and quality. Last year’s winner was the ‘Specially Selected Scotch 30 day Matured Aberdeen Angus Sirloin Steak’ retailed by Aldi, the supermarket chain which does most to promote Scottish produce.
Now QMS have called for qualifying entrants for the Scotch Brand Product of the Year award 2018. The awards take place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 7 June. Attracting over 800 attendees and consisting of 22 categories, the awards showcase the skill and innovation of Scotland’s producers.
Growing year-on-year, the awards offer an invaluable platform on which businesses can showcase their quality produce to the nation.
Alan Clarke, chief executive of QMS, said that the Scotch Brand Product of the Year Award offers an excellent opportunity to celebrate the innovation, enthusiasm and commitment of those retailing Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork products which are a cut above the rest.
He said: “Last year Aldi was awarded Scotch Brand Product of the Year for their fantastic Specially Selected Scotch 30 Day Matured Aberdeen Angus Sirloin Steak. This year we look forward to being able to recognise another exceptional product from a business which retails Scotch brand products with pride and commitment.
“The award will be judged primarily on taste — something that Scotch Beef, Scotch Lamb and Specially Selected Pork are renowned for — along with world-leading levels of traceability, assurance and welfare standards.”
For products to qualify for the Scotch Brand Product of the Year they must be made from Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork, be quality assured and, as part of his, have been sourced from cattle/lambs/pigs born, reared and processed in Scotland.
Products can range from roasts, steaks and products which have a 100 per cent meat content to products which use Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork as ingredients. Products using Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Beef PGI and Specially Selected Pork as an ingredient must contain a minimum meat content of 25 per cent.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here