Push for Scotland’s law to enshrine right to food

The Perth-based Royal Scottish Geographical Society (RSGS) is pushing for Scotland to become the first part of the UK with a legal universal right to food.

The UN says about 8.4 million people suffer from food insecurity in the UK.

The scale of the problem was highlighted in February when The Courier ran articles on child poverty illustrating that up to 40% of people in parts of Tayside and Fife depend on food banks.

The Scottish Government is working on the Good Food Nation Bill which may incorporate a right to food.

Frustration at the pace of change has prompted the RSGS to devote of its latest The Geographer magazine to the issues.

It has contributions from organisations such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Oxfam, Nourish Scotland and the Scottish Food Commission, as well as individual academics.

Calling on the Scottish Government to act, RSGS chief executive Mike Robinson told The Courier: “Our latest magazine, produced with help from leading experts across the gamut of the subject, provides a range of informative and impartial ideas and solutions to help build a Good Food Nation in Scotland.

“But, most importantly, we hope the magazine will act as a catalyst to push the consultations to the top of the political menu.”

The problem now, said Mr Robinson, is that the government won’t commit to a date for its consultation on the Good Food Nation Bill, and there is a growing impatience amongst stakeholders.

Pete Ritchie, executive director of food justice NGO Nourish Scotland pointed to the overlap between what the country produces and what it eats, saying: “Well over 90% of our lamb goes south, along with 90% of our wild and farmed fish, and most of our soft fruit, potatoes and veg.”

He would emphasise rebuilding Scotland’s local food economy, he said, instead of focusing on export,.

Confirming meetings with stakeholders will continue after the recess, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government remains committed to achieving our ambition for Scotland to continue to develop and grow as a Good Food Nation.

“We are encouraged and grateful for the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s support of our ambition.”