A showcase of Orkney's finest food and drink is being celebrated at this year's Orkney County Show with the Rural Affairs Secretary praising local producers for the quality of their produce.
Date:
Fri, 12 Aug 2011
Source:
Scottish Government
Scottish Government:
Website
Richard Lochhead, who is attending the annual agricultural event tomorrow (Saturday, August 13) during a family holiday to the Orkney Islands, said: "With fine agricultural land and a close proximity to the sea, Orkney's food and drink larder is overflowing with excellent products.
"From quality Orkney beef, lamb and pork to supreme seafood, homegrown vegetables and delicious dairy products, the islands are also deservedly renowned for their fine malt whisky and ales, and produce their own distinctive fruit wines.
"I'm pleased to have the opportunity to see and sample a selection of the quality produce on offer at this year's Orkney County Show.
"Food and drink is proving a major draw to tourism on the islands, which has increased steadily over recent years. I'm also looking forward to meeting Orkney farmers and hearing their views and concerns, particularly at a time when the Common Agricultural Policy negotiations are under way.
"The Scottish Government is supporting local producers in a number of ways to make the most of their agricultural output.
"For example, we have awarded the Orkney Cheese Company grants towards the viability of whey processing and development of a cheese cooler, and given funding towards Orkney Meat Limited's upgrade of facilities and a water treatment plant.
"We have also provided ongoing support to the bid for Orkney Island Cheddar to achieve European Protected Food Name status, to help safeguard the provenance and quality reputation of the cheese.
"Orkney Meat is working extremely hard to promote the Orkney Gold brand, with an increase in the volume of red meat it supplies to major supermarkets and retailers across the UK.
"Local initiatives like this are just the type of enterprise we wish to encourage through our food and drink policy, to promote Scotland as a land of food and drink and bring wider economic benefits to the Orkney Islands and the country as a whole."
The Orkney County Show takes place on Saturday, August 13 at Bignold Park, Kirkwall.
Latest available facts and figures on Orkney Food and Drink (source: Office of National Statistics):
• Orkney food and drink manufacturing contributed £19 million to Orkney/Scottish Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2008.
• Orkney food and drink manufacturing accounted for 66 per cent of Orkney’s manufacturing GVA in 2008.
• Labour productivity in food and drink manufacturing in Orkney is higher than that of Scottish food and drink manufacturing as a whole: £81,253 per employee vs. £77,580 respectively.
• Turnover in food and drink manufacturing in Orkney was £40.7 million in 2008, accounting for 67.2 per cent of Orkney’s manufacturing turnover.
• There are 21 food and drink manufacturing business units in Orkney, employing 200 people.
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