Call for reduction in isles transport costs

Speaking in a Scottish Parliament debate on Food and Drink, Orkney MSP Liam McArthur has encouraged the Scottish Government to do all that it could reduce transport costs for isles based businesses.

Commenting afterwards, Mr McArthur said: “The success of Scotland’s food and drink sector has been genuinely impressive in recent years.  Orkney’s businesses and producers are very much at the heart of this success.

“The Scottish Government deserves credit for its food and drink strategy, but there are ways in which they can support continued success in the future.

“Island-based businesses face higher costs than most, not least in terms of transport and energy.  That is why the Cabinet Secretary needs to rethink the exclusion of Orkney from RET and isles businesses from the air discount scheme. Both these decisions work against attempts by the local food and drink sector to meet demand nationally and internationally.”

He added: “Nicola Sturgeon has talked about a different approach and being a First Minister for all.  This change in tone is very welcome.  I hope now it will lead to a willingness to introduce more fairness in the government’s transport policy.  What better way to start off 2015, the Year of Food and Drink”