As Brexit looms, is Scotland’s food and drink sector prepared?
The Scotsman Food and Drink Conference 2018 looks at how we can future-proof one of Scotland’s most important growth industries
Food and drink is a phenomenal Scottish success story, with aspirations to double in size to a £30 billion industry by 2030 – but is the industry ready for the challenges ahead, as Brexit looms ever nearer? How can we, as a nation, help to future proof this vital Scottish sector?
These are the questions the Scotsman Food and Drink conference will aim to address when it convenes on 4 September at the EICC in Edinburgh.
Frank O’donnell, editor of The Scotsman, who will open the conference, said the event will reaffirm the paper’s continuing commitment to “highlighting the success that is being made of Scotland’s vibrant food and drink scene” by hard-working Scottish producers.
The sector has built this success on high quality, innovation, collaboration and the ability to tell a compelling global story about the land of food and drink.
However, with Britain exiting the EU and the challenges that provides, businesses and individuals involved will have to begin looking at ways of ensuring the sector retains its strong growth and global appeal.
Speakers such as James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink; Petra Wetzel, founder of Glasgow’s WEST Beer; and Fergus Ewing, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy, will provide advice and discuss ways for Scottish companies to ensure they continue to be able to take advantage of the exciting momentum behind “Scotland the Brand”.
Eleanor Coates, senior trade mark attorney at Murgitroyd, who will speak on the potential consequences of Brexit for intellectual property, said: “The countdown to Brexit is on and food and drink sector in Scotland will see it impact their intellectual property. Businesses may need to seek and enter new markets, or simply connect to a different part of their existing market, and recognising and protecting their intellectual property assets may be key to distinguishing their product or service.”
Julie Hesketh-laird, CEO, Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, who will also be speaking at the event, added: “In the current political climate it is important that the food and drink industry, including aquaculture, adapts to changing circumstances and ensures our important sector is at the forefront of policy makers’ considerations. I am delighted to join other leading food and drink sectors at the Scotsman Food and Drink conference to look to the future, share our views and learn from other successful and important producers.” l There are still tickets available, priced at £79 (+ VAT) they can be purchased at www.eventstop.co.uk/ event/2784/fdconference2018#!/ purchase/registration