The Environment Secretary at Dalmunach Distillery.
Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers has this week met members of the Scottish fishing, farming and food and drink industries as part of a two-day visit to Moray and Aberdeenshire.
In her first visit to Scotland since becoming Environment Secretary, she began with a tour of Pitgaveny Farms - a mixed farm near Elgin - with representatives from the National Farmers Union Scotland. While there she underlined the importance of Scotland's agriculture to the UK's economy and the opportunities for the sector as we leave the EU.
The Environment Secretary then saw first-hand the importance of the Scotch Whisky industry on a visit to the Dalmunach Distillery in Carron, one of Scotland's newest and most contemporary distilleries. With Scotch Whisky the UK's biggest food and drink export, she reaffirmed the government's commitment to helping UK food and drink businesses reach more global markets.
Finally, the Environment Secretary visited Peterhead - the UK's largest port by landings - to see the town's busy fish market in action. She joined a roundtable discussion with local processors, skippers and fishermen, who outlined their priorities for the coming months as the UK leaves the EU and becomes and independent coastal state.
Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers said:
With Scotch Whisky and Scottish smoked salmon renowned the world-over, it was brilliant to visit Scotland this week and see some of these iconic industries in action.
Leaving the EU offers the greatest opportunity in a generation to reform the way our agriculture and fishing industries are run, and to champion our food and drink products on the global stage.
We will ensure Brexit works for all four corners of the UK, and I look forward to continuing to work closely with businesses across these sectors as we grasp the new opportunities on offer.
Pitgaveny Farms lie between Elgin and Lossiemouth. They farm a variety of crops and livestock including 120 hectares or organic crops and beef herd. The Environment Secretary's visit follows the government's recent announcement of a funding boost for Scottish farmers, recognising their previous concerns and creating a fairer funding formula under government's funding commitment for this Parliament
