The food and drink industry is a major contributor to Scotland's economy. Sales of £7.3 billion are generated from production and processing, £1.75 billion from agriculture and £0.3 billion each from fish-catching and fish-farming.
One in five people in Scottish manufacturing work in the sector and food and drink is our top exporting industry, with sales of £3.6 billion outside the UK.
As well as being vital to Scotland's economy, food impacts on many other aspects of Scottish life - health, education and the environment.
A National Discussion was held, inviting people to help shape the development of Scotland's first national food policy. The discussion period officially closed on April 25, 2008.
All responses have now been independently analysed, a statement on the key findings of the discussion and the way forward for the national food and drink policy was made by the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment at the Royal Highland Show on 19 June.