News article
15 October 2019
Working together to deliver a good food nation
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The National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFU Scotland) and Food and Drink
Federation Scotland (FDF Scotland) have today highlighted their joint vision
for
a Good Food Nation
in Scotland at a fringe event at the SNP Autumn Conference in Aberdeen.
The fringe was addressed by SNP MSP Mairi Gougeon who is the Scottish
Government's
Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment, as well as President of NFU
Scotland Andrew
McCornick and Chief Executive Officer of FDF Scotland David Thomson. The event
was chaired by
food writer Cate Devine.
The Scottish Government has committed to legislate on a Good Food Nation in this
parliamentary
term – committing the government for the first time in its history to create a
food policy, and giving the
agri-food sector a key opportunity to influence longer-term change.
Andrew McCornick, President, NFU Scotland, said:
“Scottish farmers and crofters work hard to produce sustainable, healthy and
nutritious
produce to feed our nation. The social benefit of a healthy, well-fed nation
with a thriving agricultural
industry at its heart cannot be understated.
“Scotland's farmers and crofters are at the very start of the food and drink
journey – a
nation which values good food and drink should also be one which values the
production of that food
as a basic principle.
“NFU Scotland sees a wealth of opportunities to put food producers on a better
footing to
deliver a Good Food Nation through this legislation. I was delighted to share a
panel with the Minister
and FDF Scotland today in order to highlight our priorities for legislation to
deliver progressive
policies that value local, fresh produce through public procurement; better
food
and drink education in
schools and wider society; and providing more support for agricultural and food
and drink businesses
to grow their output in a sustainable way.”
David Thomson, CEO, FDF Scotland, said:
“We are supportive of the Scottish Government's aim to ensure the Scottish food
and drink
industry continues to be a world leader in providing high quality, sustainable
food. I was delighted to
speak on the panel today with Mairi Gougeon and Andrew McCornick to discuss how
we can work
together to deliver this.
“It is important that the whole supply chain, Scottish Government, and consumers
see the
true value of our food – ensuring everyone has a nutritious diet and that food
is not wasted. Investing
in innovation and science will help Scotland's food businesses become more
productive and
minimise their impact on our cherished environment.
“To become a Good Food Nation, partnership working is vital. We are proud to be
part of
the Scotland Food & Drink partnership – which is unique to Scotland and vital
to
the success of our
food and drink industry. We urge the Scottish Government to continue to fund
this partnership to
ensure food and drink businesses are supported to continue to grow sustainably."
Contact Kirsty Ritchie, Food and Drink Federation Scotland, at: kirsty.ritchie@fdfscotland.org.uk, or 0131 222 8040.
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