£4.5m to boost Scots food and drink sales abroad

A £4.5m initiative to promote Scottish food and drink sales in international markets has been launched.

Scottish food minister Richard Lochhead said the value of overseas food and drink exports had already increased by 52% between 2007 and 2012 and he claimed there was more business out there.

The money will be focussed on 15 key markets including France, Germany, Japan, the Middle East, North America and South East Asia.