Greens share store profits plan

Supermarket profits, boosted by people stocking up to tide them over the coronavirus crisis, should be reinvested across the food-chain to give farmers and foodbanks greater security.

That was the view of the Scottish Green Party’s farming spokesperson Mark Ruskell, expressed in a letter to Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon and leading supermarkets which suggested measures that could be introduced to protect the food supply chain.

The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP said measures should include commitments from supermarkets to pay suppliers on delivery, a sale guarantee for farmers and better links with emergency food providers like foodbanks, to ensure they are well stocked.

“The coronavirus has shown how powerful supermarkets are in our food supply chain, but suppliers and producers need more security to meet increased demand, while foodbanks also need more security to ensure they are well stocked,” said Ruskell.

“Supermarkets need to recognise the moral and social obligation they have to protect the supply chain at this difficult time.”

NFU Scotland welcomed the proposals, stating that it was encouraging that politicians were working across political divides to ensure that the impacts for businesses were understood at the top of government and solutions sought:

“In these volatile times, it is vital that the whole food supply chain comes together to ensure an adequate supply of food and beverages on supermarket shelves So that Scottish primary producers can play their part.”