HAGGIS INDUSTRY SKILLS SHORTAGE

Early day motion 770, tabled 23 January 2008 by Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 24 members.

That this House notes that haggis is an iconic Scottish dish which exemplifies the global appeal of Scottish premium food products; further notes that haggis generates around £1 million to the Scottish economy in the run-up to Burns night; notes further that the production of haggis requires ongoing investment in training to ensure Scotland has enough skilled butchers; regrets that in December 2007 financial support from the European Social Fund, which previously accounted for half of all public funding for training in Scotland's meat trade, was withdrawn; expresses concern that `Improve', the independent sector skills council which oversees training in the food and drink industry, has reported that a number of haggis producers in Scotland consider there to be a shortage of skilled workers in the craft butchery trade; and calls on the United Kingdom Government to do everything possible to ensure that the haggis industry in Scotland is adequately supported.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 16, Labour 5, DUP 2, Scottish National Party 1.