Event: Food For Thought
Edinburgh, Thursday 29th September 2009
Scotland’s leading rural estates, farmers and an internationally renowned chef today joined forces with the Scottish Government to highlight how the country’s ‘world class’ natural produce should play a pivotal role in delivering future economic, tourism and environmental success.
The Scottish Estates Business Group, which represents progressive rural estates, staged a conference entitled ‘Food for Thought’ – which delivered a united call for Scotland to ‘unleash the power’ of its own produce.
Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead with SEBG Chairman
Sir Alastair Gordon Cumming
Andrew and Jim Fairlie with SEBG Chairman Sir Alastair
Gordon Cumming
Jim McLaren
“Estates play an important role in Scotland in a number of areas – supporting the rural economy, delivering environmental and social benefits and rural development. Research has shown that most expenditure by estates goes to local businesses – in fact one study showed that shooting sports alone are worth £240m to the Scottish economy, and support 11,000 full time jobs. You are the stewards of our land. Your contribution helps make Scotland what it is. And I believe that good stewardship can help us create an even better Scotland for our shared future.
“A key aim for our food and drink policy is to support healthier food. Our diets, and diet-related issues like obesity, remain fundamental to Scotland’s relationship with food and drink. For our food producers this presents an opportunity to target the market with products to meet the growing consumer demand for healthier food. And estates can play a role in this.
“Scotland is a land of food and drink. We represent quality, beautiful unspoilt landscapes, clear air, pure water and the traditions of good husbandry. Your stewardship of estates is critical in helping us maintain and improve that image.”
Delegates were also addressed by Andrew Fairlie, one of Scotland’s premier chefs, and by Jim McLaren, the President of NFU Scotland.
Andrew Fairlie said:
“Chefs throughout Scotland are constantly striving to reach new levels of excellence. We’re lucky that Scotland’s produce is amongst the best in the world and we need to make the absolute most of it. We’re getting there but this is a crusade that everyone with the interests of Scotland at heart should embrace with all their enthusiasm. The Scottish Government should be congratulated on following through on its earlier promises and its support of this important movement.”
Jim McLaren added:
“Scottish agriculture makes a considerable contribution to the Scottish economy in many different and diverse areas but the increasing number of Government policy initiatives that make separate and often conflicting demands on land use have left farmers wondering where they should prioritise. First and foremost farmers see themselves as food producers. Policies that promote fair and equitable food chain relationships and see farmers receive a regular, sustainable return for their efforts will ensure that primary producers are there in the future, acting as the cornerstone of Scotland’s food and drink policy.
“But farmers also have to consider policies which seek to increase the area of Scotland under trees; which set some of the most ambitious greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets seen anywhere in the world; which see a large role for renewable energy; and which seek to preserve and promote biodiversity in the countryside. Coupled with the food and drink policy, which we warmly welcome, these all conspire to produce a confusing mix of signals for farmers.”
Sir Alastair Gordon Cumming, Chairman of the Scottish Estates Business Group, said: “There is a hugely significant role for Scottish produce in delivering economic, health and environmental benefits. On estates and farms across Scotland we are now seeing a growing awareness of the tremendous potential and it is time to fully unleash the power of Scotland’s produce.
“There are an increasing number of people working together in groups to realise the benefits of our world class produce and this is a great opportunity for Scotland to capitalise on world class produce that is right here on our doorsteps.”
