Local MSP David Stewart, Labour has welcomed the Scottish Government’s consultation on Good Food Nation legislation .

Labour has called on the Scottish Government to include a statutory right to food in the Good Food Nation Bill.

David Stewart said:

“Reformation of our food system is long overdue. We advertise Scotland as a nation of food and drink, yet over a third of Scots worry about putting food on the table.

“An ever-increasing number of people continue to be priced out of a decent diet, forced to rely on food banks and suffering from poor nutrition. We undervalue the people who work to produce and process food, the wildlife, natural resources and farm animals that all form part of our food system. This cannot be allowed to continue.

“Scottish Labour believes there should be a statutory right to food which joins up all policies related to food and has the power to measure the government’s success in feeding its people.

“We need to work together to push for change. I urge all of my constituents in the Highlands and Islands to respond to the consultation and make their voice known.”

Due to close on the 29^th of March, the consultation seeks public views on what should be included in a new law for Scotland’s food system.

Good Food Nation Policy

A Scottish Food Commission was established in 2015 and although there has been some progress it is thought legislation is the way forward.  As in all Scottish Government legislation Human Rights are to be embedded in the proposals.

Shockingly and rather bizarrely Perth and Kinross Council has voted to get rid of their own school meals service and instead have opted to have delivered in frozen meals. Local people have launched an online petition to try and change this decision which goes against everything the Good Food Nation is trying to achieve. You can access the petition here: Stop the School Kitchen Closure Plan. 

Councillor Dave Dougan, SNP,  who set up the petition said:

“In Perth and Kinross, The Tory/Lib Dem council leaders have forced through a plan to introduce frozen meals to our primary and secondary schools across Perth and Kinross, with the loss of 50 local catering job opportunities.

“This was done without consulting parents, pupils, local catering staff or unions. It will involve a payment of £100,000 towards a Dundee mega-kitchen and spell the end of freshly prepared food in our children’s schools.

“This is a job-killing proposal that puts the viability of a mega-kitchen in Dundee above the needs of kids and our local, hardworking catering staff.”

Perhaps preventing daft decisions like this by Perth and Kinross Council is the best reason for ensuring becoming a Good Food Nation is enshrined in legislation.

Those wishing to respond to the Scottish Government’s consultation can do so online here:Good Food Nation Proposals

or by writing to:

Good Food Nation,  

Scottish Government, 

Food and Drink Division,  

Saughton House,  

Broomhouse Drive, 

Edinburgh 

EH11 3XD

Reporter: Fiona Grahame