New body to keep Scottish farmers in touch with consumers

A new food and drink body to champion Scottish produce has been set up to help focus the farming industry on its customers’ needs, Scotland’s rural development minister Ross Finnie has announced.


The minister told delegates at the NFU Scotland annual general meeting in Dunblane that the industry-led body called Scotland Food & Drink, would help bring farming closer to the demands of the market.


Mr Finnie said the body was setting its sights high and aiming to outperform its very effective equivalent promotional body in Ireland, Bord Bia.


“Agriculture must be able to work more closely with food and drink industries to develop markets and educate consumers about food choices. All parts of the industry – producers, processors, the food service sector and retailers – have to work together, communicating with consumers, responding to shifts in consumer demand and making better use of marketing and branding,” said Mr Finnie.


Industry voice


Scotland Food & Drink will, he said, provide leadership, set priorities, anticipate trends, co-ordinate delivery, and using Scotland’s excellent research, will provide a strong and consistent industry voice on key issues.


“Food and drink retailing in the UK alone is worth £120bn a year. Tesco have recently spoken of the need to make sustainability a significant driver of consumption. Marks & Spencer want UK, regional and local food sourcing to be a priority, and have already committed to doubling regional food sourcing within 12 months. The future for Scottish farming must lie in capitalising on Scotland’s excellent reputation for quality produce with a distinct identity,” the minister added.


The announcement coincided with the release of figures showing that exports of beef from Scotland had reached the milestone £10m mark since the ban on trade was lifted in May last year.


A survey of Scottish red meat companies by Quality Meat Scotland, the red meat industry body, showed that about 4000t of beef from Scotland had been exported in the past nine months.


QMS chairman Donald Biggar said the trade had grown steadily since trading restrictions were lifted.


Related Links:


See more