Foreword
This is the second annual publication of Food and Drink in Scotland: Key Facts. The booklet is published to coincide with the announcement of the Next Steps in Scotland's National Food and Drink Policy (see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/food ). It draws together key facts and figures on food and drink in Scotland. The facts are from a range of sources including official statistics, research and consumer surveys.
The booklet is structured around the Scottish Government's five strategic objectives of Wealthier and Fairer, Smarter, Healthier, Safer and Stronger, and Greener to demonstrate the cross-cutting nature of food and drink policy. Further information on these objectives, along with information on how Scotland is performing on a range of topics, is available on the Scottish Government website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/scotPerforms
As Scotland's food and drink policy is taken forward, it will be important to improve the evidence base on food and drink issues.
The next section of the booklet sets out the different definitions of Food and Drink used. In the key statistics at a glance section, information on Food and Drink as a Key Sector in the Government Economic Strategy is presented (the Key Sector is Agriculture, Fisheries and the Food and Drink Manufacturing). The wider Food and Drink policy is aimed at the whole Food and Drink Supply Chain and so the booklet focuses on the wider food and drink supply chain where possible. The different definitions used are noted throughout.
This booklet was produced by Rural and Environment Analytical Services, Rural and Environment Research and Analysis Directorate, the Scottish Government.
If you have any feedback on this publication please email Rural and Environment Analytical Services: foodevidence@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
June 2009