NFU Scotland has run a ShelfWatch campaign for several years to monitor retailer commitment to Scottish and UK produce. Now it has introduced a ScotchWatch variant to look specifically at meat products.
On the anniversary of the horsemeat scandal the work is extended to make sure beef, lamb, pork and chicken from Scottish farms is labelled as Scottish.
This will involve NFU Scotland representatives checking retail shelves on a monthly basis and assessing the ratio of shelf facings dedicated to Scottish labelled meat as opposed to meat labelled as British or imported.
NFU Scotland president Nigel Miller said: “The Scottish public’s support for Scottish farmers and their produce during the ‘Horsegate’ debacle was resolute, and a massive vote of confidence in Scotland’s assurance and traceability systems.
“The retailer response to the crisis also gave us some optimism that there was a tide turning towards sourcing products more locally, and that retailers would show a strong commitment to Scottish meat.
“While retailers have retained a strong commitment to Scottish produce, we have noticed some movement in Scottish shops towards British or own-brand labels. The initial ScotchWatch results show some very positive results but also some that are a worry.”
NFUS food chain relationship manager Kylie Barclay added: “The beef category is a good example of the variability that exists between supermarket chains in how they promote Scottish product.
“In this month’s ScotchWatch there were a number of retailers that dedicated more than 70% of their shelf facing to Scotch labelled beef products. These retailers were the Co-op in front with 93%, followed by Lidl, Morrison’s and Aldi.
“Disappointingly, Asda, M&S and Sainsbury’s all displayed less than 70% of Scotch labelled beef product, although Asda’s score is perhaps unfairly low due to the high volume of British mince products on the shelf.
“Trailing behind at the bottom of the pack is Tesco, who dedicated only 28% of their shelf facing to Scotch labelled beef, the rest being a mixture of British and Irish product.
“We have already spoken to Tesco about our findings and its underlying commitment to Scotch beef remains strong.
“Given the recent turmoil in the Scottish chicken sector this is a difficult category to assess at the moment, given the restructuring, but it is useful to have a benchmark nonetheless.
“Interestingly, 100% of Aldi’s shelf facings are dedicated to Scottish chicken products, and Tesco has given a commitment to 100% Scottish chicken.
“Asda, Sainsbury’s and the Co-op all stock Scottish whole chickens, whilst the portions are British but we recognise the lack of portioning capacity in Scotland may be affecting their potential to source Scottish portions.
“Finally, Lidl, M&S and Morrison’s all display only British labelled chicken.
“Given the situation with the Scottish chicken industry at present, we would want to encourage these retailers to commit to sourcing and labelling more Scottish chicken in the future when the processing capacity is available.
“Across beef, lamb, pork and chicken, it is clear there is scope for most retailers to increase their commitment to the Scotch labels for beef and lamb and the Specially Selected label for pork.
“Given the crisis in our chicken sector, greater support and labelling of Scottish chicken is a priority.”