Scotland’s minister for transport to address FTA’s inaugural supply chain forum
Monday 25 January 2010
Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure & Climate change, will deliver the keynote speech at the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) inaugural Scottish Supply Chain Forum (SSCF) on 26 January. The SSCF will help shape the future of Scotland’s supply chain, bringing benefits to businesses and the environment and will engage with policy makers, like Stevenson, at the highest level.
Minister for Transport, Stewart Stevenson, said:
“The freight industry makes a vital contribution to Scotland’s economy, supporting jobs and businesses across the country through the efficient delivery of goods. The industry is also playing its part in the fight against climate change. Where feasible, the Government is keen to encourage more freight to move from road to rail and water, and offers support through the freight grant schemes, which have removed over 120 million lorry miles from Scotland's roads over the past 10 years. We will continue to work with the industry and welcome the role this new forum can play.”
The SSCF will allow its members – comprising Scotland’s business and logistics community – to share best practice and also help direct FTA’s transport policy lobbying.
Martin Gordon, Freight and Logistics Development Manager of The Edrington Group, producer of The Famous Grouse and The Macallan, and a key member of the SSCF, said:
“The SSCF will allow us to share knowledge and best practice with other businesses to our mutual benefit and also to play a more active and efficient role in the FTA’s lobbying activities. With all the major transport modes represented, together with some of the biggest businesses in Scotland, we as a trade organisation will not only be a loud voice but a decidedly well-informed one.”
As a multi-modal and issue-driven platform for discussion, the SSCF will cover a broad gamut of topics. Strategic developments affecting, for example, carbon emissions targets will be up for debate as will more modal-specific, practical problems, such as specific railway line use. The SSCF will discuss infrastructure investment plans, strategic road and rail freight issues, ferry and shipping service issues and air freight issues, all from a local, national and international standpoint.
The SSCF will hold its inaugural meeting on 26 January 2010. The forum is open to any organisation with an interest, as user or operator or representative body, in the movement of goods within, to or from Scotland. For more information contact Chris MacRae, FTA’s Rail Freight and Global Supply Chain Logistics Policy Manager at cmacrae@fta.co.uk or 07818 450353.
FTA Press Office
01892 552255
press.office@fta.co.uk
