Scottish food and drink body to launch

- Published: 14 June, 2007

Leading players in the Scottish Food and Drink Industry are to be joined by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, at the launch of a new leadership organisation for the food and drinks industry in Scotland on

The event will be held at the City Inn in Finnieston, Glasgow and celebrates a landmark development.

For the first time companies and organisations representing farmers, fishermen, processors, distillers, researchers, educators and public agencies will work together to grow, promote and enhance the industry.

In addition to the formal announcement of the new body, two of Scotland's up and coming chefs- Michael Kilkie of the Jefferson restaurant in Kilmarnock and Jacqueline O'Donnell of The Sisters Restaurants in Glasgow- will be on hand to cook food from The Great Scottish Menu.

The Scottish Food and Drink industry is going from strength to strength, with annual sales of £7.57billion. The industry is a major player in international markets too, accounting for 27% of Scotland's exports, worth £3.57billion to the economy each year.

The food and drink production and processing supply chain employs a total of 123,000 people. 5% of the total Scottish workforce.