Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead highlighted the global opportunities for Scottish beef producers.

He said there was the potential for that growing market to easily soak up 20% more cattle over time. But farmers have in recent years dramatically cut beef cow numbers because of poor returns. Lochhead said Scotland could find itself in the position of having worked hard to open up export markets, but then being unable to meet the demand.

Quality Meat Scotland chairman Jim McLaren stressed the importance of maintaining critical levels of raw material, adding: "It is vital we maintain the livestock numbers needed to satisfy the demand for our world-acclaimed brands. A demand that is set to grow on year."

Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers president Alan McNaughton said the sector was operating 20% under maximum productivity for beef and 30% for lamb. That view might not be shared by some who could see it as industry not having adjusted to lower livestock numbers and it having significant extra capacity which is unnecessarily costing all in the chain.