Scottish farmed salmon became the first non-French product and the first fish to obtain the prestigious French government’s Label Rouge award in (March) 1992. For over ten years it was the only non-French food to meet the quality scheme’s rigorous standards.
“The people we met were very warm and welcoming,” said Domitille Arrivet, from the weekly publication Le Point. “The salmon are grown in beautiful surroundings. I discovered an industry very respectful of the environment.”
Béatrice Méhats-Démazure, from the retail publication Linéaires, said: “I’ve eaten Scottish salmon and like to know what is on my plate. It was very interesting to see how Scottish salmon is produced. The people I met were very open and happy to talk. I was comforted by the strictness and quality of the production process.”
“The high technology of the industry was very impressive,” said François Biaggini, from food specialist publication RIA - Revue de l'Industrie Agroalimentaire. “It was important for me to see the whole process from egg to final product.”
Ewen Cameron, manager of food & drink at Scottish Development International (SDI), which organised the trip with members of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO), said: “France is a key export market for the Scottish food and drink industry, so we are engaged in a range of activities to raise the profile of Scottish companies and their produce on the continent.
“This visit was a great opportunity to demonstrate Scotland’s expertise in salmon farming, and we hope that it will result in some very positive international media coverage for Label Rouge Scottish Salmon,” he added.
Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive of SSPO whose members produce Label Rouge Scottish Salmon, said: “The journalists are very knowledgeable and influential in their marketplace and I am delighted that this visit appears to have been a success for the industry.
“Label Rouge Scottish Salmon is the fish of choice in Paris, regarded by many as the gourmet capital of Europe, which is tremendous recognition for Scotland and suppliers of Label Rouge Scottish Salmon,” he added.
French Media Praise Scottish Salmon Farms
SCOTLAND, UK - Argyll & Bute played host to some of Frances top food journalists, on a tour of the regions salmon farms to coincide with the 17th anniversary of the award of the prestigious Label Rouge award for Scottish salmon.
