FTA meets with transport minister to set out future of Scotland’s supply chain

Monday 12 September 2011

The Freight Transport Association met with Keith Brown MSP, transport minister, to set out where it believes the newly-elected Scottish National Party government should focus to create a more environmentally friendly, more efficient and safer supply chain in Scotland.

The leading trade body was particularly keen to maintain the progress that has been made in securing the future of the Freight Facilities Grant in Scotland. The grant has been successful in allowing companies to invest in shifting goods by more environmentally friendly means, which will help Scotland meet its target of a 42 per cent cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020.

Theo de Pencier, FTA’s CEO, said:

“The future of the Freight Facilities Grant in Scotland is very much linked to Scotland’s ability to meet its tough carbon reduction targets. Our meeting presented an opportunity to stress this point to Mr Brown, and we will ensure it remains high on the political agenda as we approach the end of the grant’s settlement period in February.”

As a net exporter of goods, the integrity of Scotland’s supply chain is central to its economic health – even when confronted with severe winter weather, measures must be adopted to ensure this integrity remains. Winter resilience was another key feature of FTA’s agenda.

de Pencier concluded:

“Last year’s winter weather brought Scotland’s businesses to a standstill; huge delays on the road and rail networks cost Scotland dearly with key export earners suffering from a severely disrupted supply chain running many weeks behind schedule.

“With the latest industry figures showing a massive surge in the export of Scotch whisky to the US and Asian markets, Scotland cannot afford to have its international supply chain stymied by snow, especially during the busy Christmas holiday period. Hopefully better communication between industry and government will prepare and support the logistics sector properly so it can do its job and deliver the economy.”
 

FTA Press Office

01892 552255
press.office@fta.co.uk