Meeting of the Parliament 09 December 2014
I am pleased to make a contribution to the debate.
The Parliament recently held a food and drink debate. There is a growing recognition that the public health agenda and the food and drink sector need to be more closely aligned. The “Becoming a Good Food Nation” consultation indicates a different Scottish Government focus. It attempts to tie together the debates on growing food as a strong sector of our economy and how we address our domestic food challenges with regard to income and knowledge. That is to be welcomed.
It can be challenging to work successfully across Government, and the new food standards Scotland organisation, which will have responsibilities in public health as well as regulation of the food sector, is an example of the need for closer working and to produce food policies across Government portfolios that relate meaningfully to each other.
What are the challenges facing the new body? This afternoon will confirm the creation of the new organisation. Along with the chair, a board will soon be appointed, notwithstanding the debate about the board’s make-up. The organisation’s policy direction and focus will then be created. Therefore, the debate now moves on to what the new body will achieve.
The Parliament has led public debate on tobacco and alcohol and we need to turn our attention to food. By 2030, we will be spending £3 billion on tackling obesity if we continue the way that we are going. At a time when our overseas food export market has the potential to expand, with the development of new emerging markets, we will be fighting battles about food at home.
Alongside obesity, there are health issues associated with poor diet and food poverty. There needs to be realignment of our diets, and the new body has a role to play here. How do we have that debate? In the “Becoming a Good Food Nation” consultation, the Government proposes a food commission.
Debate around food in Scotland can be difficult, and Richard Simpson has the tabloid scars to prove it whenever he talks about a soda tax. A commission could provide the space for a reasonable, evidence-based assessment and proposals. I ask the minister to say how it would relate to the new food standards body. Also, if the new body is to have a greater public health role, how will it co-ordinate the work with the national health service to prevent duplication?
At the cross-party group on food and drink a few weeks ago, someone said that we should have not a good food nation but a good diet nation. In our parliamentary debate a few weeks ago, members took us on culinary tours of their constituencies. The focus was very much on pastries, pies and tablet. Does it matter if we consume such products as long as they are part of a balanced diet?