Ministers propose law to underpin "Good Food Nation" goal

A proposed new law to support the concept of Scotland as a "Good Food Nation" has been put out to consultation by Scottish ministers.

The label is part of a campaign to help to improve the lives of people in Scotland through access to, and understanding of, the benefits of healthy local foods, to ensure sustainability of Scotland's thriving food industry, and to grow Scotland’s reputation as a Good Food Nation from which other countries can learn.

It also means people in catering, whether in cafes and restaurants or schools and hospitals, being committed to serving and selling good food; and achieving a reduction in dietary-related diseases, and in the environmental impact of
food consumption.

Introducing the plans, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing writes that while legislation is not essential in order to deliver action, "there is value in having legislation to underpin the considerable work that is already being done to realise our Good Food Nation goals".

The paper states that legislation would support the Good Food Nation programme of non-legislative measures announced in September. It would consist of "a straightforward framework placing responsibilities on Scottish ministers and selected public bodies with regard to food, in line with the principles and practices of the Good Food Nation policy".

Although the Government's Food Commission suggested placing similar requirements on private food-related businesses, ministers have rejected this due to concern that it would place significant additional costs on businesses operating in Scotland and unfairly disadvantage them compared to their competitors. Instead, a public sector duty would provide a public lead on the delivery of the policy, and "an example for other organisations, including private businesses, to follow".

The framework would require ministers to set out a statement of policy on food, covering production and consumption issues and disposal of waste, having regard to relevant international (including EU) obligations and guidance, and to keep it under review. Public authorities covered would be likely to include local authorities and health boards. These would report to ministers who would in turn be accountable to the Parliament.

Ministers have also considered enacting the "right to food" recognised in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, but while they say this has not been ruled out, it is "best considered... as part of the wider work on incorporation currently being done by the First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership". Rather than seeking to enact the right in isolation from any larger package of human rights measures, the Good Food Nation framework "will focus on embedding processes for ensuring that the substance of the right to food has effect as a matter of everyday good practice".

Click here to access the consultation. The deadline for responses is 29 March 2019.