New Scottish food and drinks organisation launched

10 August 2007

A new food and drinks organisation launched in Glasgow this year will bring all agencies and industry groups in the sector together for the first time to promote Scotland's produce locally and internationally.

Scotland Food &; Drink is the new leadership organisation, which will be industry led, and aims to make Scotland's food and drinks industry worth £10 billion by 2017. The aims also include building a strong and distinctive identity for food and drink in Scotland and creating profitable, world-class supply chains.

The organisation has the support of Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead.

Mr Lochhead said: "With Scotland having some of the best natural produce in the world, it is absolutely vital that we build on the ongoing success of the sector. By bringing the whole supply chain together under Scotland Food &; Drink we are well positioned to do that."

Former Executive Director of drinks business Diageo Scotland Ltd, Allan Burns, was appointed Chairman of Scotland Food & Drink.

Mr Burns commented, "This is a tremendously exciting time to be involved in this growth industry and I fully embrace the challenges presented by this new role.

"I will continue to work closely with our stakeholders to promote the benefits of Scotland Food & Drink to our industry."

Scotland Food &; Drink is the latest development in the evolution of the sector by the Scottish Food & Drink strategy.

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