This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Scotch beef returns to Italian tables
13/06/2006
Scotch beef has been given pride of place on the menus at the week long Arena Del Sole food and culture event in Italy.
Food Minister Ross Finnie will attend a gala dinner in Bologna to celebrate the reintroduction of Scotch beef into one of its largest European markets.
The beef for tonight's dinner comes from selected farms in the North East of Scotland and is processed by Scotch Premier, a major processing company based at Inverurie,
Speaking ahead of the event Mr Finnie said:
"Italy is renowned for its contribution to world cuisine. I am delighted that once again some of the world's best chefs and hotels will have access to one of the world's best products.
"Italy previously accounted for almost 40 per cent of Scotch beef exports worth 130 million pounds annually.
"This event provides us with an opportunity to present the best of Scottish produce to some of the country's leading chefs, hoteliers, and opinion formers."
Donald Biggar Chairman of Quality Meat Scotland who are sponsoring the event said:
"Italians are renowned for their love of food and in particular their enthusiasm for food that has unique taste and quality. That's why ten years ago over a third of all Scotch beef exports were destined for the top end of the Italian market.
"The good news is Scottish companies are already back doing business with Italian importers and as a result the amount of Scotch beef being enjoyed by Italian consumers is steadily increasing. It's a welcome endorsement of the high production standards of our industry that our Italian customers are telling us Scotch beef tastes even better than it did ten years ago!"
Top Italian chefs, including Vincenzo Camerucci from Rimini and Mario Ferrara from Bologna, have been charged with the task of cooking perfect Scotch beef dishes for over 1000 visitors who will eat at the open-air theatre during the next seven days.
The chefs visited Scotland last month on a fact-finding mission to learn more about the broad range of Scottish food produce available, including our beef and lamb.
Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, is known as "La Grassa" (The Fat) for its love of food. Emilia Romagna is home to Parma ham and Parmesan cheese. Guests at the dinner will include Emilia-Romagna Agriculture Minister Tiberio Rabboni, Mayor of Bologna Sergio Cofferati, hoteliers, chefs and journalists.
Prior to the 1996 ban Scotland exported 42,000 tonnes of beef, approximately 20 per cent of production, and worth £120 million annually.
The main markets were: Italy 38 per cent; France 38 per cent; Netherlands, 10 per cent; Belgium, 7 per cent. This Arena del Sole event is the last in a series of promotional engagements targeting our main markets.