Rural Affairs and Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead
Royal Highland Show, Edinburgh
Friday, June 26, 2009
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Scotland is a Land of Food and Drink. That is why I am here today, at The Royal Highland Show, that is a showcase for Scotland's produce, to set out our Recipe for Success - the next steps of our National Food and Drink policy.
This Scottish Government is committed to supporting Scotland's food production. And that's why since we came to power just over two years ago, we have worked tirelessly to promote the industry. And that's why we have worked hard in partnership with our primary producers, processors and retailers - right across the supply chain - to promote Scottish produce.
And our combined efforts are paying off. Consumers in Scotland and beyond are increasingly turning to Scottish produce because they associate the saltire with quality, taste, and loyalty to our producers.
I can reveal today that independent research commissioned by the Scottish Government confirms the growing demand for Scottish food and drink.
And the results are striking. I can tell you that retail sales of Scottish brands within Great Britain have increased by 21 per cent - that's over a fifth - since May 2007. That is a growth of £269 million.
Sales of Scotch Beef alone in Scotland have increased by 22 per cent.
And sales of Scotch lamb in Great Britain have increased by 25 per cent.
These sales figures are truly impressive. Our retailers, producers and processors are to be congratulated.
I am convinced that this demonstrates the success of this Government's work in highlighting consumer demand for Scottish sourced produce.
And our work with retailers and food producers to meet that demand.
There is plenty of momentum behind this success story. Only yesterday, several major retailers told me that they are set to make announcements of further support for Scottish produce in the coming days and weeks - potentially worth millions to the industry.
And one retailer told me that, so far this year, their sales of Scottish produce has already exceeded the whole of last year. Another told me they recently replaced one supplier of tomatoes from elsewhere in the UK with a Scottish supplier and thanks to the saltire on the label sales immediately shot up by 25%.
The Saltire effect is delivering a premium worth millions to the Scottish economy. This success confirms our view that food and drink has a big future and will deliver many benefits for our people.
What food we produce, how we produce it and what we eat, influences our wellbeing as a people and the economic health of our nation.
Leadership Forum
Last year, I announced that all of the Scottish Government's work on Food and Drink would support sustainable economic growth.
And that we would deliver this by having a focus on quality, health and environmental sustainability whilst recognising the need for access to affordable food for all.
And I am extremely grateful to the Leadership Forum that we appointed - some of whom are joining us here today - for rising to that challenge.
They have provided us with a thought-provoking and far reaching agenda.
I am happy to say that the Scottish Government accepts their recommendations as the basis for our work on food and drink in the future.
And today I'm delighted to announce the launch of Recipe for Success - the next steps in the food and drink policy.
Recipe for Success
We are a country with the best natural produce in the world. We are a land of Food and Drink representing quality, beautiful unspoilt landscapes, clear air, pure water and the traditions of good husbandry.
We are a nation rich in primary produce with a vibrant food and drink sector. A nation whose produce is in demand.
A country which takes our environment seriously with our world leading climate change targets and commitment to the reduction of food waste.
A Government committed to tackling our diet-related poor health and health inequalities.
Our Recipe for Success builds on the food revolution that's already underway. It recognises that more people than ever want to know where their food comes from
More people than ever want to grow their own food and more people than ever are concerned how food and drink affects their health and the environment.
We propose action to support the growing demand for farmers markets, farm shops, food networks and grow your own initiatives.
We know that some in our society today have difficulty accessing and affording healthy food. We recognise that our outstanding community and voluntary sectors can help in supporting the most vulnerable.
Recipe for Success is a clear direction of travel for the 21st century that will deliver for increasingly discerning consumers.
Food Security
And our food policy must not only reflect local and national issues but global as well. The world is changing. With climate change, an increasing world population, and threats of pandemic disease we know the abundance of a plentiful food supply can't be taken for granted.
Scotland and its food and drink producers have an important part to play not only in our own nation's food security but in that of global food security. To ensure this, we need a thriving food and drink industry.
Supporting the growth of our food and drink industry
A thriving food and drink industry is also vital to Scotland's economy. The industry provides employment for over 360,000 people across Scotland.
It adds £9.5 billion per year for Scotland's economy. The industry can help lead us out of the recession. That is why we are taking strong action to support our food and drink businesses.
We are supporting Scotland Food and Drink, which was set up in 2007.
And working with Scotland Food and Drink we have set the ambitious target to create 33 per cent more value from food and drink for Scotland's economy by 2017.
Together with the Enterprise Agencies, we are working to achieve this.
The economic backdrop is of course challenging but that's why through delivering support we have already safeguarded 2,780 jobs and created 310 full time posts
We have given £19 million of support to 65 organisations.
And helping Scotland's economic recovery, export sales have increased by 16 per cent. And this is just the start.
We expect more jobs, more sales and more exports as we continue to invest the £75 million we have committed to spend and as we implement our plans to expand our markets.
Building on our reputation as a land of food and drink
And as we increase exports, we know that coming in the other direction we are a nation that attracts 16 million visitors who eat in our hotels, restaurants, cafes and pubs.
Which is why the food they are served is vital to our reputation and to our economy.
- We will make it easy for these businesses to use the best of Scottish produce.
- We will produce guidance for their buyers to easily identify where they food has come from.
- We will provide tools to allow them to train their staff to tell visitors about the wonderful Scottish produce they are eating.
I know that many restaurants, pubs and visitor attractions source their food from food service companies. We want to reward those who do a good job, and make sure that everybody knows who the best are.
And we will challenge those food service companies to commit to sourcing products from Scotland's food and drink industry, and selling them at home and abroad.
To deliver this, our food and drink industry needs to build on quality and consistency. To achieve this aim, the skills of our people are vital.
Skills and innovation
Recently the Scottish Government announced 656 new modern apprenticeships in food, supported with £1.5 million investment. There is more to come.
In September, I hope to confirm Scotland's first Food and Drink Skills Academy, led by Improve, Scotland Food and Drink and the University of Abertay.
Nine academic partners are already in place.
This academy will play a vital role in helping the industry access the skills it needs.
And our first class science base has a key role in helping the food and drink sector and an important part to play developing answers to the many questions around our poor diet related health, food security and environmental sustainability.
The Research Institutes we fund directly are already focusing their research in helping us to deal with climate change, environmental sustainability and food security.
Some use their scientific knowledge to support the development of commercial products
In Recipe for Success we are clear we will harness the skills of our science nation and continue to support top quality science and innovation.
We will work with companies to commercialise ideas from science.
And we will encourage innovation from scientists to respond to the market and deal with the many issues we face.
There are excellent examples of where this research base has turned science into innovation. For instance, a new juice drink which may reduce the risk of strokes. This was developed from the science at the Rowett Institute for Nutrition and Health.
Another, which caught my eye last week, was the launch, by Quality Meat Scotland, of their new low fat and low salt sausages in our schools. Providing healthier versions of popular food to children is vitally important.
Teaching our children
And we need to continue providing future generations with food education.
The Curriculum for Excellence is a world leader in teaching our children:
- How their food is produced
- How it is cooked
- And how it effects their long term health and the environment
I was fascinated to learn that our Healthier Scotland Cooking Bus, in conjunction with the Food Standards Agency, has taught practical cooking skills to 2,000 children and 300 teachers since its launch in June 2008.
But these are not the only areas where we lead the world. Our legislation which ensures our children are served healthy food at school is much championed throughout Europe.
And our commitment for each and every primary 1-3 child to receive free school meals is the envy of many.
Our children are our future. We have to ensure that we are feeding them healthy, nourishing food. And we need to make sure there is a sustainable Scotland for them to inherit.
Healthier, Sustainable choices
Making healthier food choices is important to us all and making more sustainable food choices is essential to long term survival of our planet.
The Food and Drink Leadership Forum have been very clear that these are two challenges which we need to face head on.
And these challenges have provoked much debate, disagreement and newspaper headlines. We will face up to these challenges but the only way to be successful is to work together.
Recipe for Success challenges all of us from manufacturers and retailers through to the consumer to make healthier and more sustainable food choices. Every small step helps. And some sectors are taking big steps.
For instance, earlier this month, I was at the launch of the Scottish Whisky Association's environment strategy.
This is an excellent example of an Industry sector showing commitment to the Scottish Government's challenging climate change targets. And working collaboratively is the key to our success.
Supermarket Charter
Some of our key partners are the supermarkets. I am delighted to have developed closer relationships with them through the Supermarket Summit we organised last September.
This has led to more joint working and an ongoing Retailer's Forum to advance our food and drink agenda.
The sales figures I set out earlier show their commitment to stocking Scottish produce. Products to suit every taste and budget.
Partnership with retailers has been - and will remain - an essential component of the food and drink policy.
And I can today announce that Sainsbury's, The Co-operative, Waitrose, Asda, Marks & Spencers, Morrison's, Aldi and Tesco have signed up to a Retailers' Charter.
This Charter will provide a platform to help deliver our agenda.
It outlines the supermarket's commitment for future cooperation on food and drink, with a particular focus on Scottish produce, health and the environment.
Just recently Morrisons have said they are pleased to support the Scottish Government's drive for food that promotes quality, well being and environmental sustainability and they will play their part in making quality fresh food affordable for Scottish people.
I'm delighted to say that their Chief Executive also said they will work with farmers to provide 100 per cent fresh Scotch beef and lamb as well as other Scottish produce; and will back this with clear information for their customers." [Marc Bolland, Chief Executive]
What a fabulous foundation to build on. I congratulate the supermarkets in taking this step. We might not agree on everything but it is important that we work together on the shared agenda of benefiting consumers.
Sustainable food procurement in the public sector. But it is not just supermarkets who influence the food that we eat. The public sector should also do all it can to increase the purchasing of healthier, sustainable food.
This is a key goal and a win-win situation. The public sector wins as the people it serves, in our hospitals, schools, prisons and care homes, benefit from healthier, more sustainable food.
Scottish business, who can supply this market, win with more customers. I know it is not straightforward. That is why we are taking a series of key actions to support both buyers and producers to get public procurement right.
I strongly believe we can achieve this. There are many excellent examples throughout the country. Our own Scottish Government catering contract is just one of those.
With its emphasis on sustainable procurement and the use of fresh, seasonal produce most of our fresh food is from local producers and suppliers.
Just in the last few months I am proud to say we have increased our sourcing of lamb by around 80 per cent and beef by 50 per cent. Our beef and lamb is now all sourced from Scotland.
Conclusion
I hope this gives you a flavour of some of our next steps. We don't pretend to have all the answers or that we have solved all of the challenges. Food and drink policy will evolve and attract debate. But the Scottish Government is now delivering the nation's first national policy that is attracting support across society.
I know we can't deliver our vision alone and Scotland's food and drink culture can't change overnight. But we are determined to engage with everyone across the supply chain and who supplies consumers with food and drink - from visitor attractions to high street take-aways - to the biggest supermarkets and biggest food service companies to local caterers. We will empower communities and we will empower primary producers.
And later this year, I will ask the people of Scotland to sign up to a pledge on five simple ways to support Scotland as a Land of Food and Drink.
It just remains for me to extend my thanks to the hundreds of people who have been involved in developing this policy, in debating the many challenges and helping find solutions.
The prize here is a great one - a healthier, wealthier and more environmentally sustainable Scotland. Let's seize the opportunity.
Let's make Scotland a Land of Food and Drink.