Scotland is lucky to have soil that’s diverse enough to grow a variety of different crops, especially when you consider the size of our nation and our changeable weather.
In fact, over 70 per cent of our land area is agricultural and the industry creates more than 427,000 jobs – and that doesn’t even include the ones that are intrinsically linked such as tourism and biodiversity.
However, only 75 per cent of farms in the east and north-east of Scotland are profitable – and that’s generally with the help of support payments from the government.
Rural areas are estimated to provide a quarter of Scottish economic output, but Brexit, the rising cost of living, climate change and supply chain problems are hitting these areas hard.
Livestock farmers say the cost of overheads is getting out of control and a variety of issues, from a shortage of migrant workers to Covid and the war in Ukraine, are causing unprecedented pressure.
The National Farmers Union in Scotland has revealed staggering statistics showing farmers are already scaling back food production. Around 38 per cent of are cutting cow and sheep numbers, 30 per cent of pig farmers are reducing sow numbers and 23 per cent of those with poultry plan to reduce their laying stock.
Meanwhile 29 per cent said they’re cutting production of potatoes, soft fruit and veg.
This is devastating for Scotland where we produce Aberdeen Angus steak and Scotch Lamb among many other world-renowned products, and where food and drink production generates more than £7.5billion per year for the economy.
Concern is so great that the setting up of a ‘food security unit’ has even been proposed for Scotland to keep on top of future threats to food production, monitor risks and increase resilience in production and supply.
Last week a report from Quality Meat Scotland revealed the important contribution the industry makes to UK food security.
Its showed demand for beef, lamb and pork was still on the up even although there is an increasing range of alternative proteins out there.
The Red Meat Industry Profile report also revealed that the greenhouse gas emissions associated with Scotch meat were dropping.
It’s clear there is big demand for these alternatives though. While 75 per cent of people say they can taste the difference, they appeal to a broader market than ever before.
Three in ten people consider themselves ‘flexitarian’ and many people see meat alternatives as a healthier and/or more environmentally friendly choice.
We’re seeing more and more entrepreneurs setting up meatless ventures and they’re making a popular addition to our food and drink sector.
We’re also seeing big brands, that we might have traditionally associated with meat products, bringing out alternative versions of their best sellers.
Peperami launched Vegerami, McDonalds’ mcplant burger has gone down a storm and Greggs released vegan sausage rolls. Even KFC brought out a vegan option and marketed it with the slogan “11 herbs & spices, zero chicken”.
The Scotland Food and Drink’s Ambition 2030 initiative has set a goal of growing the sector’s turnover from £14billion to £30billion in 8 years’ time so incorporating the meatless market can only help to achieve this ambitious target.
Last year was a record year for global investment in alternatives like plant-based meat, cultivated meat and fermentation companies.
While I don’t think we are going to become a nation of non-meat eaters, I think we can probably assume the alternatives market will continue to grow and play an important part in our economy.
Deposit Return Scheme Gathers Steam Amid Industry Warnings
Scotland has been preparing to launch a deposit return scheme for years, to boost recycling rates.
Last week Zero Waste Scotland issued a ‘get prepared’ reminder because it’s not far off – it comes in next August.
Basically, it means that we’ll pay a 20p refundable deposit when we buy bottles and cans, and we can reclaim it when we return them.
For consumers of a certain age, this is a pretty familiar concept. I’m sure there are plenty of folk who fondly remember collecting Barr bottles when they were younger and taking them to the ice cream van or local shop to get the deposit back.
These days it’s a more high-tech affair. Some Scottish supermarkets are already trialling automated ‘reverse vending machines’ that collect empties – the world’s first one was invented by Norwegian company TOMRA and they’re now used across the globe.
Zero Waste Scotland has welcomed the scheme and says it will help address our throwaway culture. I can see why – if empty bottles have a cash value people are much less likely to chuck them.
But UKHospitality has expressed concerns in the past week that it will pose “inherent financial risks to hospitality businesses”, saying questions still need answered, citing its complexity, and saying this is a time when the industry can least afford it.
I sympathise, because a whole range of challenges have put the industry under unprecedented pressure.
But if we keep waiting for a right time to tackle the pollution crisis, will it ever come?
Let’s take heart from the fact schemes of this nature are already operating successfully in other countries and have done for years, so provided Scotland does its homework properly I’m feeling optimistic.
It Made Me Laugh
There will be plenty of laughs to be had at this year’s Edinburgh Festival and local people just learned they were in for an extra treat.
The organisers are giving away a massive 35,000 tickets to thank them for their support.
It’s such a nice gesture for dwellers of the city which attracts an influx of more than four million people every year for the festivals.
It might turn the city a bit chaotic (in all the right ways) but the benefits are massive.
Edinburgh’s Festivals generate a whopping £260million every year for the Scottish economy and they create the equivalent of more than 5,000 jobs every year.
It Made Me Weep
I usually like stories about consumer demand, but this week I’m making an exception to the rule.
The news that pet rabbit sales rose sharply during lockdown really bugs me.
The Scottish SPCA has had an influx of abandoned bunnies which were bought during lockdown restrictions, and now they’ve been turfed out on their ear. The charity reckons many owners are “unaware” of the complex needs of rabbits.
It’s pretty sad to think that people bought these wee animals when they were bored during lockdown, and now think it’s okay to ditch them because things have opened back up again.
By all means support the pet industry but do your homework before you take on a that responsibility.
