A blueprint which maps the way ahead for the future of Orkney's food and drink industry has been applauded for its vision by Geoffrey John, chairman of the Scottish Food and Drink Industry Strategy Group on a visit to Orkney today (Tuesday, 14 August, 2001).

The Orkney food and drink strategy in common with the Scottish strategy aims to pull the whole of the industry together to help itself and to help individual organisations develop through innovation, shared experiences and collaboration.

The Scottish strategy is based on two years of research and consultation within the industry and has been endorsed by Ross Finnie, minister for environment and rural development who is responsible for the food and drink industry in Scotland.

Mr John is the former chief executive of two of the UK’s major food and drink companies, and former chairman of Dairy Crest and the Meat and Livestock Commission.

He said "Orkney producers have demonstrated what can be done through strategic planning and joint action and have shown how much can be achieved with public support. The food and drink industry is about to change and the key to future success is partnership."

"By coming together from all corners of the country to co-ordinate this vision, the industry has demonstrated to itself, the value and practicalities of working together. Developments from here will most definitely be challenging, but we must meet these head on and ensure that the industry ultimately reaps the rewards."

The five year Orkney plan was written earlier this year by a local group led by Orkney Enterprise - part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network, Orkney Islands Council and Orkney Quality Food and Drink Ltd.

During the visit, Geoffrey John and Bob Stubbs, HIE's senior key industries manager will be taken on visits to Orkney Salmon, Orkney Meat and Orkney Creamery by John Clarke who initiated the Orkney food and drink strategy.

Bob Stubbs said: "Orkney has an excellent reputation for high quality produce and has successfully developed a brand that is recognised throughout the world.

"Our challenge as part of the Scottish food and drink strategy, is to ensure the Orkney food and drink industry builds on this reputation, and increase the value of its overall output and the number of jobs it supports."

"This group will allow Orkney Enterprise and Orkney Islands Council to work more effectively alongside businesses in this sector to achieve sustained growth.

Stewart Crichton, chairman of Orkney Quality Food and Drink Ltd said: "We have received a lot of support and guidance from our local agencies. There is a lot of work to be done but I am confident that we have a strong enough platform to support our ambitious plans.

"Key challenges facing the industry include the supply of labour and purpose-built premises, high transport costs and the impact of meeting new legislation and the costs of handling waste.

"Having agreed a joint strategy that is part of a national strategy we will work from annual action plans to ensure our objectives are met over the coming months and years."

The main objectives of the Orkney food and drink strategy are to:

• increase the number and diversity of processed products and processing companies;
• improve the profitability, co-operation and efficiency of companies within the sector;
• enhance the relationship between the public sector and the food and drink industry;
• ensure existing facilities meet new legislation and adopt best practice;

• make the industry more attractive as a career for school leavers.

Key facts about the industry

• Employs 17 per cent of Scotland’ s manufacturing employees
• Has total sales of £7.3 billion ( including total whisky sales of £3 billion) a year.
• Approx 65% of Scottish output is supplied to the UK multiple grocery sector.
• Over 70% of Scottish food and drink companies employ less than 50 people

Scottish food and drink targets 2010 (excludes whisky)

• To grow turnover from £4.2 billion to £7.4 billion
• To grow employment from 48,000 to 54,000
• To treble exports to £1.5 billion
• To increase value add from £1 billion to £2.5 billion

Scottish food and drink

Within the Scottish economy, a number of key industries have been identified as being of national importance in terms of economic development. Food and drink is one of them and a strategy has been developed by the industry in partnership with the public sector. A common priority identified within the strategy is to increase the competitiveness of Scottish food and drink, both in the UK and in international markets.

For further information on the strategy visit the www.scottishfoodanddrink.com website: