The Scottish government has announced a £4 million boost for the country’s food and drink industry.

Cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment Richard Lochhead said that the money will include funding for a major £1m scheme which will see food producers working together to access new markets, boost profitability and put more Scottish food on consumers’ plates.

The scheme will be run by Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS) Limited, based in Midlothian.

Some £94,325 of the funding is earmarked for Tio Limited, in Moray, for new peeling, cutting and grading equipment for organic vegetables.

Speaking from the Salon International de l’Agroalimentaire (SIAL) in Paris, where he was helping to promote Scottish food exports, Lochhead said: “Scotland’s food and drink industry is worth around £7.5 billion to the Scottish economy and employs around 350,000 people. Food and drink accounted for over a quarter of Scotland’s manufacturing exports in 2007.

“We must do all we can to continue to support this vital industry, particularly in the current economic climate. Today’s grants are part of a £75m investment the Scottish government will make in the industry over the next five years as we move towards our target of growing the value of the industry to £10bn by 2017.

“At the same time, we are taking huge steps forward through the development of Scotland’s first-ever National Food and Drink Policy. This too will boost business, as well as putting more Scottish food on consumers’ plates and delivering major health and environmental benefits.

“Scotland’s food and drink is renowned throughout the world. Our products stand for quality, beautiful landscapes, clear air, pure water and good, honest husbandry. They help define our nation and that is why they are playing a huge role in our promotion of Homecoming, helping to lure people back to Scotland in 2009 to sample them at source,” added Lochhead.

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