A new £60 million scheme to develop Scottish food

A new £60 million scheme to help develop and promote Scottish food is launching this week.

Up to £10 million per year is now available to help:

• Construct new facilities, refurbish existing premises and purchase new equipment
• Support wider marketing and business, including website development and consumer education
• Provide resources to support collaboration within the food chain such as distribution and accessing markets.

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, commented on the initiative: "We produce some of the finest food in the world, from our quality meat to our soft fruit and oats, yet it is not always easy for Scottish suppliers to access markets.

"This fund aims to develop greater collaboration and ensure that businesses can get supply chains and meet consumer demand."

He continued: "For the first time, the scheme offers support to help food businesses access the supply chain. They must also demonstrate their environmental credentials and show they are making efforts to develop healthier food."

The scheme, supported by the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP), does not cover fish, but this will be covered by the European Fisheries Fund later this year.

Weblink:

www.scotland.gov.uk 

Words: Maria Bracken

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