| Significant parts of the Perthshire economy rely on the poultry business and North Tayside parliamentarian John Swinney believes the quality of information being offered to the public can play a critical role in protecting the fragile industry.
He insists Scottish poultry is of the “highest standard” and urged consumers to trust local producers during what he described as a “difficult time”.
“I wanted to ask the First Minister what the executive is planning to do regarding the issuing of information on the quality and consumption of poultry in the light of the recent avian flu outbreak,” Mr Swinney said.
“Mr McConnell said the executive would closely liaise with the poultry industry. It is essential there is a continuing dialogue to protect the Scottish poultry producers and related services.”
Mr Swinney insists domestically reared birds must not be shunned in the wake of the outbreak.
“Scottish poultry is of the highest standard and is produced in facilities with the highest degree of bio-security at all stages of production. Scottish supermarkets must support domestic producers and ensure that safe Scottish poultry is on our shelves.”
With a major chicken factory in Coupar Angus, Mr Swinney believes hundreds of his constituents could be adversely affected by the outbreak.
“Significant elements of the poultry industry in Scotland, not least in the Coupar Angus and east Perthshire areas of my constituency, face a difficult economic climate as a result of some of the public information available,” he said. I hope the Scottish Executive plans to issue further information on the quality of poultry, which should not be affected by the issues raised so far.” |
