He stated that 95 per cent of beef in the United States is produced using growth hormones, then reminded delegates of the high quality and natural methods underpinning Scotch Beef. Neill welcomed the fact that both Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon and Minister Jim Fairlie had signed a pledge with the Red Meat Resilience Group not to pursue that reduction. Scotland’s beef herd has been in long-term decline, he warned, and reversing that trend was essential. Neill also raised the concentration of the beef industry, noting that 56 per cent of Scotland’s cows are kept on just 16 per cent of holdings. Supporting smaller producers to access investment will be key, he argued, if the industry is to remain broad-based and sustainable.