‘Made in Scotland’ dairy label would boost farmers – SNP

Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford has called for the introduction of a “Made in Scotland” label for Scottish dairy products.

Mr Crawford, a member of the Scottish National Party and former council leader in Perthshire, said a Made in Scotland label would benefit Scottish farmers and producers.

It would also make it much easier for consumers to identify and buy Scottish-made products.

See also: Retailers ‘must support’ Scottish dairy

He has tabled a motion to the Scottish parliament calling for the introduction of such a label for Scottish dairy.

Mr Crawford said Scotland produced some of the best-quality milk, butter, cheeses and yoghurt in the world and choosing local options was a “win-win” for both consumers and farmers.

“I want to help our dairy farmers capitalise on the worldwide reputation of Scottish food and drink,” he added.

“There is a strong desire from many of my constituents to be able to buy locally produced food. However, with the lack of effective labelling for dairy products at the moment it can result in people buying products they think are produced in Scotland, but are actually produced in other countries.

“Having a saltire on the packaging does not mean it is produced in Scotland, however a ‘Made in Scotland’ labelling system would mean consumers know exactly which products are produced locally.”

NFU Scotland has backed Mr Crawford’s call for better labelling regulation for the dairy industry.

NFUS milk committee chairman Graeme Kilpatrick said: “The motion submitted by Bruce Crawford MSP to the Scottish parliament sends a strong message of support to Scotland’s dairy farmers at a time when many are under severe price pressure.

“However, support from Scottish consumers wanting to buy Scottish dairy produce, manufactured in Scotland from Scottish milk, has never been higher. 

“The frustration for farmers and consumers is that product labelling can often make the true origin of produce difficult to establish.”

Dairy farmers across Scotland are facing significant problems due to the falling milk prices.

Many now have to supply processors at less than the cost of production, while the supermarkets are selling milk at unsustainable prices.