Scotland’s National Food and Drink Policy revealed

It is the first research strategy that draws together the wide range of interests in food related matters and research funders. The results of this research will help meet the vision for maximising the food and drink sector's contribution to Scotland's economy, health and environment. Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Scotland is ahead of the game on food security and our national food and drink policy recognises the crucial role that research and scientists can play in meeting these global challenges." "The UK Food Research Strategy will help us to co-ordinate our interests on these issues - something which will not only help us deliver our national food policy but also provide a forum for Scottish researchers to share their expertise with the rest of the world." Professor Maggie Gill, Scotland's chief scientific adviser, added: "Our involvement in this Strategy - which has local, national and international elements, together with the agreement in principle of the Boards of the Macaulay Land Use and Scottish Crop Research Institutes to come together to create a new institute with even greater international reach - augurs well for Scotland to continue to be a world leader as we enter one of the critical decades for research of the 21st century." The UK Food Research Strategy was launched today (January 6) at the Oxford Farming Conference by professor John Beddington, chief scientific adviser to the UK Government.