Scottish Countryside Alliance | National Food Policy

National Food Policy

The Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) welcomes the chance to comment on the Scottish Government's plans for a National Food Policy for Scotland – indeed we welcome and wholly support the idea of such a policy.

Scottish Food Fortnight (organised and funded by the SCA Educational Trust) has, over the past 5 years, given the food industry in Scotland a chance to highlight and celebrate quality, locally produced, nutritious Scottish food and drink. Over 1000 businesses have taken part in SFF, and each year the SFF message reaches at least 1 million Scots. This annual celebration has been well received by consumers, and we hope has at least partly contributed to the renaissance in local food. But much more needs to be done in order to boost sales of Scottish produce for the other 50 weeks of the year and in so doing boost the health and well being of consumers. As the National Food Policy for Scotland is developed, we hope that it can achieve these aims.

Particular issues that we would like to see addressed under the banner of the National Food Policy for Scotland include:

Measures to ensure the long term sustainability of Scottish livestock farming, particularly in the uplands and the LFA and also in the pig, poultry and dairy sectors. This should not just be an issue for the Scottish Rural Development Programme, it is very much a food policy issue, as without livestock farmers there will be no Scottish meat!
The lack of abattoir facilities in many areas. This is a huge problem for many producers of local meats. Animals have to be transported over long distances, which raises welfare concerns and adds to costs and environmental impact, just to be slaughtered. This scenario contradicts the ethos of ‘local food’.
Labelling issues. Particularly ‘co-mingling’ of Scottish and non-Scottish produce on supermarket shelves and the lack of clear country of origin labelling in the food service sector.
The procurement policies of the public sector. Much more needs to be done to ensure that Scottish producers are able to tender successfully for produce supply contracts.
Bureaucracy. The plethora of rules and regulations that Scottish food producers have to operate under ensures that Scottish produce is amongst the most traceable and safest in the world. However, some rules and regulations, both current and proposed - for example in Planning or sheep tagging - may hinder the ability of Scottish produce to compete financially on a world stage and even in the domestic market. The National Food Policy must look at ways of ‘cutting unnecessary red tape’.
More promotion of Scottish game meat, particularly as a wild, natural and free range alternative to imported intensively produced poultry meat products.
Promotion of a balanced Scottish diet. Some indigenous Scottish food products, eg Scotch pies or Scotch whisky, may be unhealthy if consumed to excess, but can be consumed as part of a balanced diet.
Education and information campaigns to help consumers (from an early age) to understand and relate to the provenance of Scottish produce, thus helping them to make informed purchasing choices.
Equality issues. The National Food Policy for Scotland should help to ensure that fresh Scottish produce is available and affordable to all consumers regardless of issues of disadvantage.

We hope that the National Food Policy for Scotland will be able to address these issues and that as a result Scotland will be healthier, wealthier and greener.