A Marketing Development Scheme worth #1.5m over the next three years
to Scotland's agri-food industry was announced yesterday by the Scottish
Agriculture Minister Sir Hector Monro (writes Ian Morrison).
The money is part of a #10m package of help to British food suppliers
launched at an Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) food
industry conference in London.
Calling on Scottish food producers to make full use of the new scheme,
Sir Hector said: ''New 50% grants of up to #150,000 will be available to
help producers, processors, and others, to sharpen up management and
marketing practice.
''This new scheme builds on the Group Marketing Grants introduced in
1992, and has been designed to respond to industry needs. It will extend
help to the processed food sector as well as primary produce.
''The Market Development Scheme represents a very significant package
of help for the agri-food industry. It will improve our competitiveness
in the world markets, and this must be good news for Scotland, which has
such wonderful food products to promote.''
Under the new scheme, grants can be used towards the cost of an
outside director to bring in new expertise and fresh thinking to a
company looking to expand its markets. Or, they can contribute towards
the salaries of key staff and training.
For producer groups, the grants can help towards the cost of expansion
or mergers, including recruitment or redundancy costs. Alternatively,
they could be used for market research and feasibility studies.
And for industry bodies, they can assist in developing their market
sectors, for example by gathering export intelligence, or quality
branding.
In the wake of the new scheme, leaders of the English National
Farmers' Union say they are launching a feasibility study into ways of
further developing market opportunities for Britain's farmers and
growers. A key aim of the NFU's own 'Food from the Countryside'
initiative will be to help members and marketing organisations to
collaborate more effectively.
''Agriculture and horticulture must be better equipped to meet our
customers' needs while, at the same time, we have to avoid any
unnecessary duplication of marketing initiatives,'' said union president
Sir David Naish.
A fresh initiative to boost Britain's share of European and world food
and drink markets has also been unveiled by Food From Britain, the
Government-backed marketing agency. This will involve raising a further
#1.1m from the food and drink industry in commercial projects over the
next three years, expanding existing markets and creating new ones.
FFB chairman Geoffrey John, who disclosed a 1% cut in Britain's food
and drink trade gap to #5.8bn last year, added: ''The time for talking
about the trade gap is past. Now we must see some action.''
* THE Scottish NFU are asking hill farmers and crofters to provide
details on how the severe winter and spring has affected their
businesses. The union is issuing a questionnaire about the impact of
this on their incomes.
NFU hill farming convener John Scott said: ''The picture which emerged
from last week's meeting of the hill farming sub-committee was one of
sharply increased costs and lambing losses brought about by the severe
weather last winter and this spring.
''There were also strong indications of further cost increases this
coming winter, owing to the probability that this year's silage and hay
crops throughout Scotland will be lighter than normal. The Scottish
Office are keen to know the results of this survey, so I appeal to
fellow hill farmers for a good response.''
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