Marc Bolland, Chief Executive
Morrisons is Scotland's food specialist for everyone, offering its customers fresh food at affordable prices in over fifty stores.
We are different from other supermarkets in that we prepare ourselves much of the food we sell. For example, we own our own abattoir in Turriff, Aberdeenshire, processing Scotch beef and lamb. We also run our own bakeries, and prepare and package much of our own produce purchased directly from Scottish farmers.
We are pleased to support the Scottish Government in the development of a Scottish food and drink policy. Morrisons wants to help source good food that benefits producers and customers. For example, our own label block cheese in Scotland is now sourced from Scottish Dairies and is clearly labelled with its farm assurance as well as the Saltire.
Our farmers are particularly important to us. That's why we are committed to helping secure the long-term viability of Scottish farming. Through our farm programme we are investing in a range of practical research projects, including projects on beef, dairy and poultry - using the latest science to help improve quality and cut costs at the same time. Plans are in place to set up a nationwide network of farmer groups to help the industry better share knowledge, ideas and expertise.
We are also starting to farm ourselves, at the 700 acre farm at Dumfries House in South Ayrshire primarily rearing cattle and sheep. Working in partnership with NFU Scotland and the Scottish Agricultural College, we want to understand better the challenges of developing a sustainable farming industry. We plan to share the lessons we learn with farmers and food producers across Scotland in support of the national food and drink policy.