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Promoting Scottish produce
28/09/2007
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead has issued a call to processors and retailers to buy more Scottish food.
Speaking ahead of the organic Living Food event at Cawdor Castle (tomorrow, September 29), following the publication of a new report showing that Scotland has a lower proportion of total domestic sales compared with much of the rest of Europe.
He said:
"Since I took office in May, one of my top priorities has been the promotion of local produce to the Scottish consumer.
"However, it's not just the consumer that I would see looking at the Scottish market, it's the industry itself.
"Our food sector has the potential to make a significant contribution to the economy, and while export sales are high, I would like to see more Scottish food ending up on our plates.
"Today's report shows that our processing sector could do better in terms of buying Scottish produce. We're behind the UK and other key European countries such as Italy, Poland and Denmark.
"The farming sector has gone through a difficult period recently with foot and mouth and spiralling grain prices.
"Events like Living Food are an excellent showcase for Scottish produce and provide me with another opportunity to highlight the importance of buying local produce.
"I want to see all parts of the supply chain - from farmer through to the consumer - doing their bit to give Scotland's farming sector a sustainable future."
Living Food at Cawdor Castle is an organic food festival and the biggest event of its kind in the Highlands and Islands. The event is one of the main events in Highland Feast, a two week Highland food and drink festival in the Highlands and Islands. Last year, which was the first Living Food event, attracted 3,000 visitors and it is hoped that 5-6,000 people will attend this year. Providing this year's event is successful it is hoped to extend it to a two day event from next year and secure it in the calendar as a major Scottish event, and the centre piece of the Highlands and Islands food calendar.