UK internal market: initial assessment of UK Government proposals

Food and Drink sector – case study

The food and drink industry is a major contributor to Scotland’s economy. It is worth around £15 billion each year and accounts for one in five manufacturing jobs. Scotland has 18,850 food and drink businesses, which employ around 115,400 people, many in remote and economically fragile rural and island communities.  It is identified as a growth sector in the Scottish Government’s Economic Strategy.  The case study at Annex B sets out in more detail the threat the White Paper proposals pose to the progress being made on the development of the food and drink sector as well as jobs and businesses.