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Alternative (shorter) food supply chains and specialist livestock products in the Scottish-English borders

Ilbery, Brian; Maye, Damian

Authors

Brian Ilbery

Damian Maye



Abstract

In this paper findings are presented from survey work conducted with producers of specialist livestock products in the Scottish-English borders. Using supply-chain diagrams, the paper highlights how specialist livestock businesses operate individual or customised supply chains. The heterogeneity of surveyed producer initiatives throws into question both the simple conceptual distinction drawn between the labels 'conventional' and 'alternative' and also what is meant by a 'short' food supply chain. The starting point of the specialist food chain is clearly not the point of production but rather a series of upstream supply links - as is found in conventional food chains. Likewise, 'alternative' producers are regularly obliged, or choose, to 'dip in and out' of different conventional nodes downstream of the business, such as abattoirs, processors, and wholesalers. In practice, delimitations between 'alternative' and 'conventional' food supply chains are often blurred and are better characterised as 'hybrid spaces'.

Citation

Ilbery, B., & Maye, D. (2005). Alternative (shorter) food supply chains and specialist livestock products in the Scottish-English borders. Environment and Planning A, 37(5), 823-844. https://doi.org/10.1068/a3717

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date May 1, 2005
Journal Environment and Planning A
Print ISSN 0308-518X
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Not Peer Reviewed
Volume 37
Issue 5
Pages 823-844
DOI https://doi.org/10.1068/a3717
Keywords alternative food supply chains, specialist livestock products, Scottish-English borders
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1049804
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.1068/a3717
Additional Information Additional Information : Food and Farming Ilbery was principal author on first draft of paper, drawn from the EU-funded SUPPLIERS research project.


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