SCOTLAND is set to lead the way in the UK in re-establishing the value of markets for fifth-quarter products, such as offals and cheeks.
Prior to the BSE crisis in March 1996, the fifth quarter made a valuable contribution to the total value of a carcase, but that trade was subsequently banned. But the rules have been progressively relaxed to the extent where the promotional a
nd education agency Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) has issued a manual directed at the specialist trade.
Andy McGowan, head of industry development with QMS, said:
"The manual is effectively a blueprint for harvesting lesser known parts of the carcase and minimising waste that currently costs abattoirs in terms of disposal."
At a recent meeting of sellers and potential buyers, meat company representatives from as far away as Vietnam expressed interest in sourcing product from Scotland.
The project is being partly funded by the Scottish Government to the tune of £300,000 aimed at rekindling the fifth quarter trade with the potential to generate an additional £3 million each year for the Scottish red meat industry.
Environment minister Roseanna Cunningham said: "This project could generate millions of extra revenue for our red meat industry.
"We are determined to provide a sustainable future for livestock production, while ensuring that our food and drink industry goes from strength to strength."
One problem for the abattoir sector is that the skills associated with harvesting the fifth quarter were largely lost in the wake of BSE. Training may be required.
Little of the fifth quarter is likely find its way on to UK supermarket shelves, but there is a near insatiable demand from China where consumers eat parts of the carcase that would be scorned in the UK.
