Canadian shoppers will soon have access to Scotch Beef following the removal of a 19-year long import ban put in place at the height of the BSE crisis.
The removal of the ban will see 19 European countries, including the UK, authorised to export beef to the North American country.
And according to Quality Meat Scotland, Jim McLaren, exports could start in the next few weeks.
He said the red meat levy body had been working with Scottish Development International and the Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society to try and open trade for Scotch Beef into Canada.
“Some Scottish companies have already developed an extensive business network into Canada and are ready to export Scotch Beef to supplement the existing Scotch Lamb trade,” added Mr McLaren.
“Scotland has both historic and cultural links with Canada and will undoubtedly benefit from this development. Canadians have a genuine appetite for quality premium beef and lamb coming from Scotland. The Scottish red meat industry is waiting for the paperwork to be finalised by Defra, and we anticipate that we should be able to begin exporting Scotch Beef to Canada in the next couple of weeks.”
Scots farm minister Richard Lochhead said this was excellent news for Scottish farmers and the red meat industry.
He said: “There is a growing global appetite for premium produce with a strong sense of Scottish provenance, such as our fantastic Scotch Beef, and lamb which is already approved for export to the Canadian market, and this is a great opportunity for our food and drink sector to continue to flourish.
“The industry is booming, both at home and abroad, with food exports surpassing £1.1billion last year – I am keen to see that momentum continue and so welcome the opportunity to gain access to the Canadian beef market.”