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First Minister to host 'Supermarket Summit'
19/06/2008
The First Minister will stage a Supermarket Summit this Autumn with leading retailers to discuss the part they can play in helping to deliver the Scottish Government's five strategic objectives.
Speaking at the Royal Highland Show, the First Minister confirmed he will host the event on September 24, 2008 in Edinburgh where he will discuss how the retail industry can work with Government to achieve its key objective of sustainable economic growth by co-operating in seeking a secure future for Scotland's primary food producers.
He will also discuss the contribution retailers could make to the 2009 Year of Homecoming.
He said those attending the Summit would include the Chief Executives of Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's; the Chairman of Tesco; and the Executive Board Directors of Marks & Spencer, Somerfield, The Co-op and Waitrose.
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"Scotland produces some of the best food in the world and the Royal Highland Show brilliantly demonstrates this.
"The Scottish Government is working hard to bridge the gap between the producers and consumers of food, which is why we have been strengthening our relationship with Scotland's major food retailers.
"Farming is integral to our rural community and I want to see a dynamic and competitive industry play its part in helping to achieve sustainable economic growth through food production and environmental management of agricultural land.
"The Supermarket Summit is an opportunity for the Government to bring together the country's leading retailers and for us to discuss how we can work together to ensure a sustainable and profitable future for Scottish farming."