New food bill should deliver ‘real and lasting change’ for Scottish food and farming

Food and drink impacts all of society and it is the jewel in Scotland’s economic crown

Scottish farmers have emphasised the new food bill to be introduced should include the promotion of local food by local farmers.

Farming union NFU Scotland is setting out its vision for what must be included in the Scottish Government’s Good Food Nation Bill.

It has asked other stakeholders to be joint signatories to ensure that the Bill will deliver “real and lasting change”.

In its ‘Programme for Government’, the SNP announced a renewed commitment to bring forward a Good Food Nation Bill.

The aspiration is that Scotland becomes a country where anyone can benefit from the food they buy, serve, and eat day by day, with an emphasis on local produce from local farmers.

Campaigners like Nourish and the Scottish Food Coalition have been promoting for framework legislation for the food system to ensure a coherent and connected approach to food policy, which facilitates a just transition to a fair, healthy and sustainable food system.

Buy local

Food and drink impacts all of society and it is the jewel in Scotland’s economic crown.

A flagship sector, the value of food and drink has grown to £14.4 billion per annum, now surpassing every other sector – with new targets to more than double in value by 2030.

NFU Scotland believes the Good Food Nation Bill should promote the value of Scottish produce, enhance the reputation of Scottish food on a global stage, encourage and incentivise the public sector to source local and help people build a healthy relationship with food through improved education about where food comes from and how consumers can make healthy, homegrown choices.

’Good food’

NFU Scotland Chief Executive Scott Walker, who sits on Scotland Food and Drink’s Executive Board said a nation which aspires to value good food must be one which values the production of that food.

“Whatever ‘good food’ means to an individual, I’m sure it starts with where it comes from and how it’s produced. Scottish produce is world-leading for environmental sustainability, welfare standards and, of course, taste,” Mr Walker said.

“Farming, Food and Drink impacts all of society and it is the jewel in Scotland’s crown. We have a target to double the size of the industry by 2030 and, in doing this, we need to ensure that all parts of the supply chain thrive and that the people of Scotland also see the benefit.”

’Broken supply chain’

Scott Walker said the challenge can’t be underestimated. He said the supply chain is “broken” and in need of becoming “more fair with equitable returns by all”.

He added: “The Good Food Nation Bill provides an opportunity to promote the value of Scottish produce, enhance the reputation of Scottish food on a global stage, improve procurement practices to source more locally, and to build a healthy relationship with food.

“Our document sets out a range of proposals on how Scottish Government could assist the whole supply chain in coming together to achieve these goals.

“We look forward to developing this positive discussion with other industry stakeholders and policy-makers in the coming year.”