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Last chance to take part in food debate
16/04/2008
With just over one week left until the national food discussion ends, Scots were today urged not to miss out on the chance to shape the country's first-ever food policy.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment Richard Lochhead made the call during his keynote speech at a major conference on the national food policy.
Also speaking at the conference were Andrew Fairlie, Scottish Michelin-starred chef, Professor Jan Bebbington, Vice-Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission, Professor Tim Lang, City University, London, and Jim McLaren, President of NFU Scotland.
Mr Lochhead said:
"We want the freshest finest future for Scottish food. Food is about so much more than what we eat - it is about our environment, tourism, education and health. Supporting food processing and manufacturing in a more environmentally-friendly way is in our national interest.
"There are a wide variety of views on how to achieve this through a national food policy and I welcome the opportunity to discuss these ideas with a range of experts today.
"I have been overwhelmed by the response so far with over 20,000 unique visitors to our website. The wide array of responses show food is clearly a subject close to many of our hearts.
"As the food discussion approaches its final week, I would urge everyone to take the opportunity to have their say by going to: www.scotland.gov.uk/food
Prof Jan Bebbington, Vice-Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission, said:
"The Sustainable Development Commission welcomes the discussion about the content of Scotland's national food policy. It has been good to see so many individuals and organisations taking part in the discussion initiated by the Scottish Government. It is important the Government takes on board these contributions, and seizes the opportunities available through a sustainable food policy which addresses economic, social and environmental issues simultaneously."
Bill Gray, National Officer for Community Food and Health (Scotland) said:
"A truly national food policy must reflect the hopes and concerns of the whole country. Disadvantaged, vulnerable and remote communities must see themselves within the aspirations and actions of a national food policy, not just the interests of those with power and influence."
Prof Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at City University, London, who chaired the 10 year review of the Scottish Diet Action Plan published in 2006, said:
"The review I chaired of the health impact of Scotland's diet suggested that a new ecological public health perspective should be central to any new policy. In that context, Scotland's new food policy is to be welcomed. We now need to get mass buy-in and engagement."
Bill Kirkup, Programme Coordinator, Public Sector Food Procurement said:
"There is a clear logic in ensuring that the public sectors approach to food procurement is consistent with the wider aims and objectives of local and national government, in short we should be putting our money where are mouths are. However we need to ensure value for money and that we are clear that the actions we take will generate the desired outputs - it is vital that we are well informed as well as well intentioned when making procurement decisions."
Jim McLaren, President of the NFU Scotland, said:
"Agriculture is being thrust back to the forefront of politics by global factors which are unstoppable. The world is becoming more populous and more demanding in what it consumes. At the same time, global factors are reducing the land from which we must meet this demand. On top of these, we are living in a country with a new found appetite for quality, home-grown produce but a country which also faces a diet-related health crisis. Scottish farming will be at the forefront of meeting both local and global demands."
Jim Mullen, Larder Bytes Ltd said:
"We at Larder Bytes Ltd believe Scotland's new food policy must put a far greater priority on local food. It makes sense for a great many reasons to start the food procurement process locally and then move out to encompass national and eventually European producers. Its all about collaboration and convergence making best use of technology to bring together the public, private and voluntary sectors to deliver the social and economic benefits to meet the needs of the 21st century."
Pam Rodway, Food for Life manager Soil Association Scotland, said:
"Soil Association Scotland welcomes the opportunity to add our voice to this vital debate on Scotland's food policy. Through our Food for Life work, helping Local Authority catering services serve up school meals that are fresh, local and organic, we are delivering a double dividend for children's health and climate change, while championing a bright future for farming in Scotland.
"Building on the whole school approach of Hungry for Success, we are also helping schools to take children out of the classroom to see for themselves where food comes from and how it is produced. These experiences capture their imaginations, encouraging them to make healthy and sustainable choices and take an active interest in the future of food and farming in Scotland. We look forward to working with the Government to ensure that healthy and climate-friendly school meals and practical food education for all children is embedded in a visionary food policy for Scotland."
Fraser Scott, Acting Chief Executive Forward Scotland, said:
"For Forward Scotland, local food has huge potential to engage people in an issue that is potentially beneficial not only to their health but to the environment. By reducing food miles and increasing access to a diversity of locally sourced products, we can provide producers with a viable outlet that increases their margins whilst still offering real value for money."
Lydia Wilkie, Director of Food Standards Agency Scotland, said:
"The Agency has very much welcomed our involvement in what has been a highly inclusive discussion over the last months on a Scottish Food Policy. We will be pleased to continue to work with Scottish Government to develop policies that meet Scottish needs and to achieve our vision of 'Safe Food and Healthy Eating for all'."
The food discussion runs until April 25.
The national food policy, which would be the first of its kind in the UK, aims to join up government policy on every part of the food chain from farm gate to plate.
The discussion paper 'Choosing The Right Ingredients', covers a wide-range of potential areas for change including:
- New traceability schemes so people know where their food comes from
- Greater innovation to develop more low-fat, low-salt and low-sugar food
- Working with producers and retailers to deliver a more sustainable food chain
- The promotion and sale of more affordable, healthier and clearly labelled Scottish produce