Scottish producers go for gold

Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) is ensuring Scottish companies don’t miss the opportunity to go for gold at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

QMS has registered on CompeteFor – the chosen web site for London 2012 supply chain opportunities – which will enable it to highlight any red meat procurement opportunities to the industry.

It’s 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 ensure that visiting athletes get 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 to highlight the quality of our nation’s food 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.

“We’d advise any interested companies to register on the site now to ensure they know about any opportunities as and when they appear as it’s a great chance to get your products featured on a national and international stage.”

The CompeteFor site not only identifies opportunities in the London 2012 supply chain, it also enables related businesses to identify potential partners for the formation of consortia and onward supply chains.

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. We are also working with partner agencies including Scottish Enterprise and Scotland Food & Drink to help Scottish businesses win as many contracts as possible.

“Sporting events – including the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow – present an ideal opportunity to enhance our credentials as a land of food and drink. Working together we are spreading the word that Scotland is the destination for high quality produce. The prize is a great one – a healthier, wealthier, more environmentally sustainable nation/country.”

Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles
.