Potential wider collaboration with China
High level delegations from Beijing and Brussels has visited a salmon farm and a whisky distillery in Argyll & Bute as part of discussions to further develop a unique agreement on quality food and drink products between China and Europe.
Representatives from the People’s Republic of China and the European Commission, including Mr Chenggang Li, Director General in the China Ministry of Commerce and John Clarke, Director for Agriculture International Affairs in the European Commission discussed enhancing an agreement that recognises and protects products with EU Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) in China, which already benefits Scottish Farmed Salmon.
Scottish Farmed Salmon was included in the initial prestigious “top 10” of quality food and drink products chosen from a then list of over 750 European products in a pilot project between China and the European Commission that was agreed in 2007. The granting by China of the special status to the ten European food products was matched by the EC conferring similar legal protection for ten Chinese foods.
4,300 tonnes of Scottish salmon (fresh, frozen and smoked products) with a value of over £23million were exported to the fast growing Chinese market in 2011, the first year that direct exports were permitted.
Host for the visit to Loch Creran salmon farm, Lawrie Stove, Export Manager, Scottish Sea Farms said: “It was a pleasure to showcase Scottish Farmed Salmon to our visitors from Beijing and Brussels. As the European Commission now recognises over 3,000 food and drink products, it is great recognition for Scottish Farmed Salmon to be selected in the top 10 products in the unique quality food and drink agreement between Europe and China.
Professor Phil Thomas, Chairman of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation, said: “The unique agreement has helped to develop the Chinese market for Scottish Farmed Salmon. China is a growing international opportunity for the fine foods for which Scotland is renowned. The unique agreement is a positive start to a potentially wider collaboration between Scotland, Europe and China.”
