§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, how he intends to take forward the initiative announced at the 1992 Royal Highland Show to establish a forum for the industry and public agencies to discuss the generic promotion of Scottish food and drink.
§ Sir Hector MonroScottish Office officials have consulted representatives of food and drink producers and there has been a widespread welcome for this initiative. I have therefore decided to create a Scottish Food Strategy Group, with the following general terms of reference
To advise on opportunities for enhancing the performance of the Scottish food and drink industry, particularly in overseas markets, and with regard to the resources available to the public agencies.As one of its early tasks, I am asking the group to consider the detailed case for developing a single Scottish quality mark for food and drink and to report to me with its recommendations.I am glad that Mr. James Millar, Chairman of William Low plc, has agreed to chair the group. Other members, who between them share extensive knowledge and experience on the range of issues relevant to the group's work, are:
Mr. Stanley Bernard, Managing Director, Sco-Fro Ltd.Miss Ann Foster, Director, Scottish Consumer Council.Mr. David Hall, Managing Director, Halls of Broxburn.Mr. Adam McCartney, Managing Director, Scottish Pride Quality Dairy Foods.Mr. Maitland Mackie, Vice-President, National Farmers' Union of Scotland, and Managing Director, Mackie's Quality Farm Foods.Mr. Donald Morrison, soft fruit farmer, Forfar.Mr. Brian Simpson, Chief Executive, Scotch Quality Beef and Lamb Association.Mr. James N. Walker, Director, Walkers Shortbread Ltd.Mr. John Whitehead, Managing Director, Top Hat Holdings Ltd.Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise and Food From Britain will provide assessors to the group and the secretariat will be provided by the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department.