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Retailers chew over national food policy
08/04/2008
Major retailers from across the country gathered today to discuss their views on the first-ever cross-cutting national food policy for Scotland.
The event offered an opportunity for the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment to meet food retailers and discuss how they can work with government on developing a future food policy.
It was attended by representatives from Asda, CJ Lang & Son Ltd, Co-Operative, Marks & Spencer, McDonalds, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Scotmid, Tesco and Waitrose alongside industry and public sector bodies.
Speaking from the event in Edinburgh, Mr Lochhead said:
"Today is a useful opportunity to listen to retailers views on the wide-ranging issues currently under discussion in our food policy.
"We want the freshest, finest future for Scottish food. Supporting food production and manufacturing in Scotland is in our national interest and retailers have a vital role to play in this.
"We are already forging positive and fruitful working relationships with retailers in Scotland and I am grateful for their participation in our national discussion of the future of food.
"Important issues such as sustainable supply chains, affordability, food labelling and sourcing are all imperative to a successful future food policy for Scotland.
"I look forward to continuing to build on our links with retailers as we take our food policy forward in the future."
Fiona Moriarty, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said:
"Retailers are committed to having an open and frank discussion on the long-term food policy for Scotland. We look forward to working with the Scottish Government to identify priority areas for action that will encourage growth and innovation in all parts of the food supply chain, whilst balancing the needs of customers with retailers, suppliers and farmers."
The food policy event was held at the Edinburgh International Apex Hotel and was co-hosted by the Scottish Government and Scottish Retail Consortium.
The food discussion runs until April 25
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The 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
The Scottish Government is aware that supermarkets are already stocking and promoting Scottish produce and are in continued discussions with them and other retailers to maintain positive working relationships.
The National Food Policy for Scotland Retailer Discussion was attended by representatives from major retailers across the country including; Asda, CJ Lang & Son Ltd, Co-Operative, Marks & Spencer, McDonalds, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Somerfield, Scotmid, Tesco and Waitrose alongside Scottish Grocer Federation, Food Standards Agency Scotland, British Retail Consortium, Scottish Retail Consortium and Scottish Government.
The Scottish Retail Consortium will be offering an official response to the government's food discussion in due course.