Food industry and universities in £10m research investment plan

Scotland's food and drink sector has today received a £10 million investment boost thanks to a new tie-up between industry and academia.

The Scottish Funding Council (SFC) said 17 institutions would be taking part in the Scottish Universities Industry Innovation Network for Food and Drink. It is designed to help meet the research and innovation needs of indigenous food and drink companies.

Academics will work with businesses and trade sectors on "knowledge exchange" projects in areas including food science, supply chain development, waste management, packaging design and marketing.

SFC is to invest 2.64m over five years in the partnership. In total, just under 10.6m of cash and "in-kind" investment will be given to the project.

The 17 partner universities will contribute 3.1m of in-kind support, with trade associations such as Scotland Food and Drink and participating companies also providing 4.84m of cash and in-kind support.

The network is being led by the University of Aberdeen, the University of Abertay Dundee, and Edinburgh's Heriot-Watt University together with Interface - the knowledge connection agency for business.

The SFC pointed out that Scotland's food and drink industry was a key sector of the economy, generating more than 9.5 billion a year and employing in excess of 360,000 people.

The Scottish Government identified the food and drink industry as one of six key industrial sector drivers for future economic growth in its economic strategy.

Official figures last month for Scottish manufactured exports showed that food and drink was one of the best performing sectors during 2010.

Mark Batho, chief executive of SFC, said: "The Funding Council is delighted to invest in this unique network, which will lead to great benefits for Scotland's food and drink industry and increased demand for the excellent research of Scotland's universities.

"This is the first time such a multi-disciplinary collaboration of researchers, from almost every Scottish university, have come together to focus on a key sector."

Rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead added: "The food and drink sector is worth billions to our economy and has a major contribution to play in securing Scotland's economic recovery.

"The Scottish Government wants to see the sector grow to 12.5bn by 2017, and I am wholly committed to heralding Scotland's larder both at home and abroad through our 'Recipe for Success' vision.

"This 2.64m package will bring together the very best talent and research from academia and business, helping to strengthen and expand every aspect of this crucial industry."