The decision by the US to ban imports of beef from Brazil, just a few months after granting access, is a blow to the beleaguered Brazilian beef industry.

There is, however, no direct immediate benefit to Scottish beef producers unless the EU was to decide that they would follow the US example and issue their own ban.

Until now the EU has settled for increasing the frequency and intensity of checks on Brazilian beef entering the EU.

However, it would make a real difference in the demand for home-produced beef if there was a decision by the EU to exclude Brazilian beef.

Over 300,000 tonnes were imported by the EU from Brazil in 2016, and a significant portion of this was into the UK.

If this was removed from the market – and it is predominantly high-value steak meat – then a gap in supply would emerge that would increase the value of home-produced product.

As of now there is no indication that the EU will follow the US lead, but the situation with Brazilian meat remains very fluid.