Scottish food board to launch

The organisation, to be called Scotland Food & Drink, could potentially be modeled on Bord Bia, the Irish food board, rural development minister Ross Finnie (pictured) said.

The scheme was recently mooted at the annual NFU Scotland conference but industry discussions have been taking place behind the scenes.

QMS chief executive Uel Morton is one of the people involved in the concept, which he described as being in its gestation period. "We're looking to launch it later in the year and its about bringing the industry closer together," he said.

Speaking at the NFU Scotland conference, Finnie told delegates: "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 foodservice sector and retailers - have to work together, communicating with consumers, responding to shifts in consumer demand and making better use of marketing and branding.

"The vehicle to help us meet that objective is Scotland Food & Drink, the new organisation led by industry and supported by the public sector and others."

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