Measures for National Policy for Food and Drink Announced
Richard Lochhead, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, has announced several new measures for the National Policy for Food and Drink. Aimed at boosting the industry, supporting healthier and more environmentally sustainable choices and enhancing Scotland's reputation as a land of food and drink, the measures include:
A major campaign, led by Martin Wishart to improve the quality and visibility of Scottish produce served in Scotland's restaurants and pubs
A focus on food education through Scotland's first Cooking Bus, teaching healthy, practical cooking skills to pupils, parents and community groups across the country
An investigation into 'Scottish' labelling of food and drink to help make it easier for consumers to identify and trust labels
Support for a world-class health and nutrition centre through the future merger of the Rowett Research Institute and Aberdeen University
A new Scottish Government catering contract which leads by example with greater emphasis on healthier menus, and the procurement of fresh and seasonal produce
An inquiry into affordable access to food, in light of the global rise in food prices.
Speaking at the Royal Highland Show's Food Hall, Mr Lochhead said: 'The time is right for a fresh new future for Scottish food and drink. We have listened to the people of Scotland and they have told us what their priorities are; health and nutrition, education, local food and local economies.
'I aim to deliver a National Food and Drink Policy which will promote Scotland's sustainable economic growth by ensuring that the focus of all food and drink-related activity by Government offers quality, health and wellbeing and sustainability.
'I will be commissioning work under five key themes to take forward the next steps of the policy, including a series of working groups to tackle issues such as healthier eating and sensible drinking, sustainability, labelling, skills and innovation. Working together with consumers and the food and drink industry, I am confident we can achieve the freshest, finest future for Scottish food and drink.'
The national discussion 'Choosing the Right Ingredients', which ran from January to April 2008, raised a wide range of issues including: diet and nutrition, local food and economies, health promotion, education in schools and access to food.
A major campaign, led by Martin Wishart to improve the quality and visibility of Scottish produce served in Scotland's restaurants and pubs
A focus on food education through Scotland's first Cooking Bus, teaching healthy, practical cooking skills to pupils, parents and community groups across the country
An investigation into 'Scottish' labelling of food and drink to help make it easier for consumers to identify and trust labels
Support for a world-class health and nutrition centre through the future merger of the Rowett Research Institute and Aberdeen University
A new Scottish Government catering contract which leads by example with greater emphasis on healthier menus, and the procurement of fresh and seasonal produce
An inquiry into affordable access to food, in light of the global rise in food prices.
Speaking at the Royal Highland Show's Food Hall, Mr Lochhead said: 'The time is right for a fresh new future for Scottish food and drink. We have listened to the people of Scotland and they have told us what their priorities are; health and nutrition, education, local food and local economies.
'I aim to deliver a National Food and Drink Policy which will promote Scotland's sustainable economic growth by ensuring that the focus of all food and drink-related activity by Government offers quality, health and wellbeing and sustainability.
'I will be commissioning work under five key themes to take forward the next steps of the policy, including a series of working groups to tackle issues such as healthier eating and sensible drinking, sustainability, labelling, skills and innovation. Working together with consumers and the food and drink industry, I am confident we can achieve the freshest, finest future for Scottish food and drink.'
The national discussion 'Choosing the Right Ingredients', which ran from January to April 2008, raised a wide range of issues including: diet and nutrition, local food and economies, health promotion, education in schools and access to food.
