Listen
Promoting food from Scotland
22/06/2007
Leaders of UK supermarkets have agreed to attend a joint meeting later this year to discuss their role in Scotland and the Scottish government's food agenda.
Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, revealed the initiative at the Royal Highland Show after meeting Stuart Rose, Chief Executive of Marks & Spencer, Justin King, Chief Executive of Sainsbury's, and Sir Ken Morrison, Executive Chairman of Morrisons.
Mr Lochhead said:
"I was delighted with my very positive and contructive discussions with a number of supermarket bosses at the Royal Highland Show.
" I warmly welcome their provisional agreement to attend a joint meeting with the new Scottish government to be arranged in the coming months to discuss their role in Scotland and the government's food agenda. Other leading supermarkets will of course be invited to attend this ground breaking meeting.
" This initiative has the potential to herald a new relationship between the government in Scotland and the leading supermarkets.
"This is part of our policy to promote our Scottish food sectors and to seek the cooperation of our major retailers to bring economic, environmental and health benefits to the people of Scotland."