Award of PGI for Scottish farmed salmon has immediate tangible benefit, says competition sponsor

Scottish Quality Salmon (SQS), part sponsor of the Fish and Poultry Craftsmanship Competition at this year’s Oyster & Seafood Fair at Hays Galleria on Sunday 5th September, is hailing the award of Protected Geographical Indicator (PGI) status as a major boost for Scottish salmon producers both in the international and UK markets.

“The award of PGI is of major importance and brings an immediate and tangible benefit in the form of accessing the £1.5 million European Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) grant, which allows us to start our healthy eating campaign” said Brian Simpson, SQS chief executive.

“Retailers, in conjunction with their suppliers, are able to participate in this campaign as funding is available over the next two years. All interested parties should register their interest with me as soon as possible,” he added.

“PGI is better recognised in continental Europe than in the UK,” explained Simpson, “and some of our members are already reporting interest from markets such as Italy, Germany, Spain and Switzerland. France is already a significant market for Scottish Farmed Salmon but we expect PGI to give added impetus to sales here too.”

Announced last month by the European Commission, PGI status puts Scottish Farmed Salmon on a par with Champagne and Parma Ham as a product recognised by the EU for its quality and distinctive regional characteristics.

“Products will now only be able to be called ‘Scottish Farmed Salmon’ if they are produced in accordance with a set of stringent procedures and standards. Our good name is therefore protected and fish from other countries will be prevented from being labelled and passed off at consumer level as Scottish Farmed Salmon.”

Simpson also believes that UK consumers will increasingly see PGI as a badge of quality and authenticity. “UK food producers have perhaps been slower than some markets to recognise the value of PGI status. But that is rapidly changing and consumers here will become much more familiar with PGI, its logo and what it stands for. This can only be good news for Scotland’s salmon farmers,” he concluded.

The PGI label will be available to any company whose products meet the specifications, but inspection and certification by an independent body is required.

Notes to Editors:

1 Scottish Quality Salmon is dedicated to improving the quality and sustainability of salmon farming in Scotland - from feed companies through to salmon smokers and processors - the whole production chain. Membership now represents 65% of the tonnage produced by the Scottish salmon farming industry.
2 The award of the Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance (FIFG) grant is from the European structural fund that contributes to achieving the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy. The grant will fund a healthy eating project that will last for 2 years. The salmon farming industry will contribute £1.5 million as 50% of the total package. It was awarded to the Scottish farmed salmon industry on Tuesday 18th May.

END 3rd September 2004

For further information contact either:
Ken Hughes,
Communications Executive,
Scottish Quality Salmon,
+44 (0)1738 587000 or 07974 173739

Julie Edgar,
Communications Director,
Scottish Quality Salmon,
+44 (0)1738
587000 or 07899 875151

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