WIREDGOV

Sales of Scottish produce across Great Britain have increased by 21 per cent in two years as consumers turn to the Saltire as an indication of quality and source for their food and drink.

At the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh today, Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead unveiled Recipe for Success the next steps in Scotland's first-ever national food and drink policy.

The latest statistics show that between May 2007 and May 2009, retail sales of Scottish brands across Britain increased by a fifth, an increase of £270 million.

Sales of Scottish brands in Scotland over the same period are up 18 per cent. Scotch beef was the top selling Scottish brand in both Scotland and Great Britain.

Measures announced today include:

• Action to get more Scottish food onto menus in hotels, restaurants, cafes and pubs, with clear advice on where food has come from
• Supporting more farmers markets, farm shops and local food initiatives across Scotland
• A new strategy for the food and drink manufacturing sector to increase sales by a third to £10 billion by 2017
• A new charter with supermarkets who have committed to playing their part in taking forward the national food and drink policy in five key areas
• Promoting a better understanding of the food chain amongst young people in Scotland's schools
• Another £3.3 million from the Food Processing and Marketing Grants Scheme for 16 new projects, taking the number of jobs created and safeguarded by the scheme to over 3,000 in less than a year, attracting additional investment of £70 million

Mr Lochhead said:

"Scotland is world renowned as a food producing nation. What we eat and how we produce it helps define us locally, nationally and globally. The importance we attach to our food and drink also reflects its significance to our health and wellbeing, environment and culture.

"The measures announced today are based on evidence and input from some of the country's leading and most respected experts. Their impact will go far beyond the industry, and in developing it we have set out an ambitious vision to change us for the better, allowing us to prosper as a nation, and build on the impressive progress that's been made over the past two years.

"Sales of Scottish produce have soared by a stunning 21 per cent and Scottish food exports to countries outside the UK increased by 16 per cent between early 2007 and early 2009. Despite the economic downturn there is much to be proud of - and we aim to build on this success story. We expect to create more jobs, sales and exports as we invest the £75 million we have committed to spend as part of plans to expand our markets.

"With this feel good factor and wealth of talent at our disposal the time is right to create a food and drink revolution. This vision has its sights firmly set on wider issues such as climate change, food security, affordability, animal welfare and fair trade.

"Delivering this next wave of success can't be achieved by single groups or individuals working in isolation. It is challenge that can only be met through a collective response from all those growing, making, buying or selling food and drink in Scotland. The prize is a great one - a healthier, wealthier, more environmentally sustainable Scotland, and 2009 can be remembered as a real landmark year for Scottish food and drink."

Paul McLaughlin, chief executive of the leadership organisation Scotland Food & Drink, said:

"We fully support the next steps in Scotland's national food and drink policy. Economic growth in this sector is vital to Scotland's recovery from recession and integral to improvement of the nation's public health and environmental sustainability.

"With the steadfast dedication of the industry and support of the Scottish Government and enterprise agencies, Scotland Food & Drink is at the forefront to ensure this progress is made.

"The resilience of the Scottish food and drink industry is hugely encouraging, with domestic sales of Scottish brands and overseas exports increasing significantly over the past two years. We remain committed to our ambitious £10 billion objective and believe it is resolutely achievable, with sound advancements already made despite a global recession."

'Recipe for Success' sets out the next steps of Scotland's National Food and Drink policy. It follows a wide-ranging consultation. Since last August a Leadership Forum has been working on the new plan. This work was taken forward through five workstreams:

• Sustainable economic growth of the food & drink industry
• Healthy and sustainable food & drink choices
• Celebrating and safeguarding Scotland's reputation as a Land of Food and Drink
• Walking the talk - getting public sector procurement right
• Food security, access and affordability

A host of individuals and organisations from across the public, private and third sector including food outlets, retailers, NHS, Scotland Food & Drink, Enterprise Agencies, local authorities and communities will be responsible for delivering the new actions in the 'Recipe for Success' document which sets out how Scotland will:

• Support the growth of our food and drink Industry
• Build on our reputation as a land of food and drink
• Help ensure we make healthy and sustainable choices
• Make our public sector an exemplar for sustainable food procurement
• Ensure our food supplies are secure and resilient to change
• Make food both available and affordable to all
• Ensure our children understand more about the food they eat

Progress to date in supporting Scotland's food and drink sector includes:

• Developed closer relationships with supermarkets through the Supermarket Summit and new Retailers' Forum
• Created Scotland Food and Drink as the industry leadership organisation, promoting collaboration and promotion of the sector
• Launched a three-year access to market strategy to secure greater export coverage and maximise opportunities across the UK
• Provided advice and funding to local producers to help them develop markets for their products and encourage the growth of farmers markets, farm shops and local food initiatives
• 'Alcohol Framework for Action' contains a robust package of measures to tackle alcohol misuse in Scotland
• Used Homecoming to showcase Scotland as the Land of Food and Drink and encourage people to visit Scotland
• Promoted the use of fresh seasonal produce through a new Catering Framework Agreement
• Hosted the first pan-UK Ministerial Summit to discuss global food matters and their potential impacts
• Awarded almost £700,000 to grow your own and community food projects through the Climate Challenge Fund
• Increased the availability of fruit and vegetables in convenience stores through the Healthy Living Programme
• Launched the Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus in partnership with Food Standards Agency Scotland to encourage a greater understanding of food and health issues among over 2000 pupils and almost 300 teachers in eight months

The Retailers' Charter has been signed by Sainsburys, the Co-operative, Waitrose, Tesco, Asda, Lidl, Aldi, Marks & Spencers and Morrisons. It outlines commitments for taking forward work on partnership with Scotland's food and drink producers and suppliers; consumer information about Scottish products; healthy food choices; high animal welfare and environmental choices; help to Scotland in reducing its environmental impact.

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