NFU Scotland has submitted a response to the Scottish Government’s Good Food Nation consultation, setting out its vision for a Scotland which values Scottish farmers and crofters as producers of high-quality, local food.
The consultation proposes the introduction of framework legislation which would put a duty on Scottish Government and specified public authorities to publish regular statements of policy on food, including issues relating to the growing, harvesting, processing, marketing, sale, preparation and consumption of food. Statements of policy would also be required to include indicators or measures of success.
NFUS welcomed the proposal for a unified statement on food. It will be essential that these are developed in collaboration with those who produce food and drink – and for any changes in policy to be evidence-based and science-led.
In 2018, NFUS and seven agricultural industry stakeholders published a collective vision for a Good Food Nation in the document ‘Educate, Sustain, Promote’, which urged government and the supply chain to work with primary producers to:
- Build a healthy relationship with food through education for school children;
- Invest in enterprise and skills within the agricultural sector;
- Promote the value of Scottish produce at home and abroad, particularly through public procurement;
- Improve the regulatory landscape for primary producers; and
- Develop capacity for food processing.
NFUS submitted its consultation on the same day that it met with the Scottish Government about food education and seasonal school meals.
NFU Scotland Vice President Martin Kennedy said: “NFU Scotland is passionate about the fantastic offering of fresh, healthy and local produce that our members work hard to put on tables in Scotland, the UK, Europe and across the world.
“Farmers, crofters and growers across Scotland produce top-quality meat, dairy, cereals, eggs, fruit and vegetables and continue to do our part to feed the nation. I’m pleased to see the Scottish Government continue to recognise the importance of food in their consultation on a Good Food Nation.
“We need to see domestic food producers at the centre of future policy, linking our ability to provide high quality, nutritious, tasty food and drink to enabling the people of Scotland to enjoy a healthy, sustainable diet based on food produced in this country.
“If Scotland is to build on the positive place we are in and become a Good Food Nation then it must be a nation that values the production of good food. We want to work with Scottish Government and others to improve education about our food and how it is produced. That starts with ensuring that children in our schools are properly educated about farming and what foods are in season, as well as being given the necessary skills to prepare and use fresh food.
“We also want to see public procurement further targeted towards buying seasonal Scottish food and we were pleased to discuss this important issue with the Scottish Government today. We will continue to develop these themes as Scottish Government considers its proposals for a future Good Food Nation Bill.”
