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Makeover for Quality Meat Scotland
21/06/2007
The shape of Scotland's leading meat body - Quality Meat Scotland (QMS) - is set to change as the organisation moves to becoming a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB).
The consultation process which will see QMS tasked with making the Scottish livestock sector even stronger was today kicked off at the Royal Highland Show.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead said:
"Scotland's livestock industry contributes £1.5 billion to our GDP and the Scottish brand is recognised globally.
"Much of the credit for that is down to Quality Meat Scotland who already do an excellent and highly professional job in promoting and supporting the sector.
"I have a real personal interest in our food industry and want to see consumption of Scottish food increase, both worldwide and at home.
"A change in status for QMS will further enhance the red meat industry's ability to flourish. The post of chair in this new body will be advertised next week and we will begin the process of appointing remaining board members shortly.
"Bringing QMS closer to the Scottish government will give increased leadership, not just to the benefit of the livestock sector, but the food industry as a whole.
"Last week we saw the launch of Scotland Food and Drink, a brand new body which will harness the collective resources of the entire industry in a drive to make it worth at least £10 billion by 2017."
QMS will make the formal transition to NDPB status on April 1, 2008.
Other Ministers attending the Royal Highland Show include the First Minister Alex Salmond, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney, Minister for Environment Michael Russell and Minister for Schools and Skills Maureen Watt.