To promote the procurement of fresh, local lamb in Scottish schools, NFU Scotland, with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Tayside Contracts and Perth & Kinross Council, have run a pilot campaign introducing a different lamb meal onto Tayside school meal plans, every week, for the last four weeks.

The pilot, which was spearheaded by NFUS vice president Martin Kennedy and Perth & Kinross councillor Mike Williamson, looked to give school children in the area the opportunity to have local lamb as a regular dietary option.

QMS is currently delivering a major marketing and PR campaign behind Scotch Lamb and the results of the lamb pilot activity in schools has timed with Love Lamb Week, a national push to encourage people to try out different lamb dishes all this week.

Positive feedback

When asked if they would like to see the dishes added to the menu on a regular basis, pupils at Inch View Primary in Perth said they definitely would, highlighting the lamb kebabs and lamb lasagne as both being very popular.

NFU Scotland vice president Martin Kennedy said: “We are delighted that the pilot has gone down so well with the children, many of whom will not have eaten very much lamb outside of the traditional chops or roast. Scotch Lamb PGI is such a versatile product and the success of this pilot proves there is great potential for it to be used more regularly in school meals across Scotland.

“It is no surprise that the meals have gone down a storm with the children who had them, with so many delicious ways of cooking it there is something for everyone on the menu. Over the last few weeks the school pupils have had the chance to try lamb lasagne, kebabs, meatballs and Moroccan lamb.

“Lamb is such a healthy dietary option, providing a natural source of protein, zinc and B vitamins. In the current economic climate, it can be a relief to many parents to know that their child is getting a warm healthy meal when they are at school.

“Having Scotch Lamb on the menu in our schools gives great credit to the sheep farmers in Scotland, who work tirelessly to provide a high-quality product from sheep that are maintained under the highest animal health and welfare standards.”

Loan letters issued

NFU Scotland is urging Scotland’s farmers and crofters to respond to the BPS and Greening Loan Scheme offers letters being issued by Scottish Government this week. The National Basic Payment Scheme Support Scheme (NBPSS) 2018/19 loan offer letters give applicants the opportunity, by opting in, to secure up to 90% of their anticipated basic support through a loan.

Brexit proposals

NFU Scotland has used an evidence session with Westminster’s Scottish Affairs Select Committee to urge all politicians to get behind the Chequers Brexit proposals. Speaking at the evidence session in Glasgow, Jonnie Hall said the Chequers agreement in July was closest to the Union’s preferred trade option with the EU of a single market and customs union, while a no-deal Brexit would be a disaster.

Rural crime event

Tackling cybercrime will be part of a rural crime event being held in Ayrshire on 5 October. It comes after a member in Ayrshire recently fell victim to ‘ghosting’ – a convincing scam that left the affected business thousands of pounds out of pocket. This type of scam is referred to as ‘ghosting’ where the scammer has hacked an email account and started mimicking emails from the bank.

Make safety a priority

With Scotland’s farm safety record continuing to be one of the poorest across the UK, Farm Safety Partnership Scotland (FSPS) is encouraging those working within the industry to make safety a priority. FSPS, which consists of key industry stakeholders, will be focusing on different types of farming activities each quarter to deliver key messages and encourage those working and living on Scotland’s farms and crofts to take action.