Scotland Food and Drink

60 industry representatives present at this meeting held at the Scottish Bakery Training Centre in Larbert.
SFMTA represented by Past President Duncan Mackenzie, Alan Kennedy, Sandra Lennox and Douglas Scott; Also present SFMTA members Gordon Allan and Alan Stuart

The Minister introduced the event as the 32nd industry sector to engage with him. He viewed the event as part of the “national conversation” on the Scottish Government's economic strategy and outlined his Government's ambitions for greater economic growth.

He then used a MindGenius program to take opinions from the floor. This was an impressive software package that formed strands of thought patterns for each goal and inhibitor.

Topics discussed included
improving the reputation of the Food and Drink Industry,
building the international and domestic reputation of Scotland as a land of food and drink,
assisting innovation through increased research and development
grow the size of the Scottish Food and Drink sector from £7bn to £10bn by 2012
develop a more skilled workforce
less inhibitors

Jim Mather promised to send the results to all those who attended within a weeks. When the results are received they will be added to this report.

As an aside from the meeting Jim Mather highlighted the Small Business Bonus that gives rates relief to small businesses.