FDF Scotland response to SNP’s proposed price cap on food
Responding to the SNP manifesto proposal to introduce a statutory price cap on some food items, David Thomson, Food and Drink Federation Scotland’s Chief Executive Officer, said:
“This policy has the real risk of undermining investment, resilience and long‑term food security – crushing hard‑pressed food and drink producers who feed the nation and provide good, skilled jobs in communities across Scotland – many of them small and medium‑sized businesses.
“Our sector is already facing intense pressure from rising regulatory and policy costs, alongside global economic challenges that are pushing up the cost of energy, ingredients and transport. Businesses have worked hard to absorb these pressures and keep prices as low as possible for shoppers, but there is no headroom left. We need clarity from the SNP on how this policy would operate in practice – who bears the cost, how supply chains are protected, and what safeguards exist to prevent challenges being pushed down the supply chain for Scottish producers if costs continue to rise.
“If ministers are serious about helping households, they should focus on addressing the underlying drivers of food price inflation. This includes reducing avoidable regulatory costs and supporting a stable business environment that allows food and drink manufacturers to continue investing, innovating and employing people across Scotland.”
ENDS
For more information, please contact Kirsty Tinsdale:
kirsty.tinsdale@fdfscotland.org.uk, 07508 303 736
Notes for editors
- Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland is a division of the Food and Drink Federation – the voice of the food and drink manufacturing industry, the UK’s largest manufacturing sector. For more information about FDF Scotland and the industry we represent visit our website.