Chamber
Plenary, 28 Feb 2007
28 Feb 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Organic Farming
I welcome the "Third Organic Annual Report". It seems a long time since I last spoke on the subject, when I supported the aims of Robin Harper's Organic Farming Targets (Scotland) Bill, but I recognise that the Executive has made steady and important progress.
My colleagues raised an eyebrow at my bid to speak in the debate. As a city MSP I am not well known for my expertise on farming, but in fairness I know quite a lot about eating—I certainly have more restaurants in my constituency than any other MSP; they can challenge me on that one.
Unashamedly, I want to talk about the farmers market in Partick, the politics of the food chain and where I think organic farming fits into that. I strongly support the Executive's organic targets, because I believe that there is a growing demand for that choice. Organics is more than a valid niche in the market; it is a legitimate choice for those who believe that food choice is instrumental to improving health. As other members have said, it is a question not of making a judgment on what is best, but of ensuring that choice is available and accessible.
Our task is to ensure that all consumers can make that choice. To that extent, I agree whole-heartedly with Alex Johnstone and Andrew Arbuckle about making the option truly accessible. Prices are still too high and organic food is still seen as an option for the wealthy. We must change that. It is not only the price that gives the impression that organic produce is exclusive; people just get the impression that it is not for them. We can assist in the process of change by continuing to support organic farming to make it rewarding and worthwhile to make the conversion.
In parts of the constituency that I represent, Glasgow Kelvin, a large number of people who shop for fresh produce value the small greengrocers and the fruit and vegetable shops. Partick market, which I mentioned, sells a range of produce that has been produced using different farming methods. Recently, I asked Andy Kerr to visit the market with me so that I could demonstrate the value of a small market that sells Scottish produce, which helps to reduce our environmental footprint. I also highlighted the contribution that the market can make to good health. The market was packed not only with local people, but with those who had travelled miles to come to the farmers market in Partick. They, too, are demanding a market of their own.
I cannot resist mentioning the pending application in my constituency for a huge Tesco store in the west end. That is giving people cause for concern, because they are worried that the small shops that provide them with fresh produce may not survive if such a supermarket is established.
Choice in the food chain is a fundamental right. The right to know how food is produced and what goes into it is a basic demand of most Scottish citizens, and it is growing. The Scottish Executive is helping citizens to make that choice by taking organic farming seriously. Therefore, encouraging and supporting organic farming have an important part to play. Food labelling must be easy to read and understand to allow consumers to make the choices that they want to make.
Shopping has always been a political issue. My husband complains that I make it more complicated than it needs to be. I still boycott some products of certain countries, make healthy choices where I can, buy low fat and low sugar products, and there is a bit of organic produce thrown in. Shopping is definitely getting more complicated, but we have to make those choices easier for people because that is what they demand.
Recently, the fresh produce was moved around in my local supermarket—people are demanding more fresh produce, so frozen food is taking up a smaller section of the shop. The trends are changing, which is why the debate is important. The contribution that the Scottish Executive is making by having targets for organic farming is very important. I look forward to the fourth report on organic farming next year.
My colleagues raised an eyebrow at my bid to speak in the debate. As a city MSP I am not well known for my expertise on farming, but in fairness I know quite a lot about eating—I certainly have more restaurants in my constituency than any other MSP; they can challenge me on that one.
Unashamedly, I want to talk about the farmers market in Partick, the politics of the food chain and where I think organic farming fits into that. I strongly support the Executive's organic targets, because I believe that there is a growing demand for that choice. Organics is more than a valid niche in the market; it is a legitimate choice for those who believe that food choice is instrumental to improving health. As other members have said, it is a question not of making a judgment on what is best, but of ensuring that choice is available and accessible.
Our task is to ensure that all consumers can make that choice. To that extent, I agree whole-heartedly with Alex Johnstone and Andrew Arbuckle about making the option truly accessible. Prices are still too high and organic food is still seen as an option for the wealthy. We must change that. It is not only the price that gives the impression that organic produce is exclusive; people just get the impression that it is not for them. We can assist in the process of change by continuing to support organic farming to make it rewarding and worthwhile to make the conversion.
In parts of the constituency that I represent, Glasgow Kelvin, a large number of people who shop for fresh produce value the small greengrocers and the fruit and vegetable shops. Partick market, which I mentioned, sells a range of produce that has been produced using different farming methods. Recently, I asked Andy Kerr to visit the market with me so that I could demonstrate the value of a small market that sells Scottish produce, which helps to reduce our environmental footprint. I also highlighted the contribution that the market can make to good health. The market was packed not only with local people, but with those who had travelled miles to come to the farmers market in Partick. They, too, are demanding a market of their own.
I cannot resist mentioning the pending application in my constituency for a huge Tesco store in the west end. That is giving people cause for concern, because they are worried that the small shops that provide them with fresh produce may not survive if such a supermarket is established.
Choice in the food chain is a fundamental right. The right to know how food is produced and what goes into it is a basic demand of most Scottish citizens, and it is growing. The Scottish Executive is helping citizens to make that choice by taking organic farming seriously. Therefore, encouraging and supporting organic farming have an important part to play. Food labelling must be easy to read and understand to allow consumers to make the choices that they want to make.
Shopping has always been a political issue. My husband complains that I make it more complicated than it needs to be. I still boycott some products of certain countries, make healthy choices where I can, buy low fat and low sugar products, and there is a bit of organic produce thrown in. Shopping is definitely getting more complicated, but we have to make those choices easier for people because that is what they demand.
Recently, the fresh produce was moved around in my local supermarket—people are demanding more fresh produce, so frozen food is taking up a smaller section of the shop. The trends are changing, which is why the debate is important. The contribution that the Scottish Executive is making by having targets for organic farming is very important. I look forward to the fourth report on organic farming next year.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh):
Con
The next item of business is a debate on motion S2M-5655, in the name of Sarah Boyack, on the future of Scotland's organic farming.
The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Sarah Boyack):
Lab
I was keen to secure a parliamentary debate on progress on the organic action plan. The Parliament was keen to support that plan in the first session, and I ...
Christine May (Central Fife) (Lab):
Lab
Will the minister also pay tribute to the many farmers in Scotland who, while they are not certified as organic, nonetheless use responsible farming methods ...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
Obviously, I pay tribute to them. Environmentally friendly conventional farming can make a strong contribution to our country's biodiversity and landscapes. ...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
Will the minister give way?
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I will finish my point first.Of course, if we look behind those figures we can see that most sectors meet more than 70 per cent of demand, particularly the b...
Richard Lochhead (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
The Scottish National Party very much welcomes today's debate. It has been a long time since we debated agriculture in the chamber. It was debated many times...
Mr Andrew Arbuckle (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD):
LD
Is the member aware that the fact that applicants are not admitted to the organic aid scheme does not prevent them from going organic on their own?
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I appreciate that, but I wanted to highlight the statistic, because it highlights the wider issue that faces farmers who are seeking financial support.The si...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
You should be winding up now, Mr Lochhead.
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
It is clear that we have to send out better signals to the organic sector in Scotland. The sector needs to know that it can compete for public procurement co...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
Con
Thank you.
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
I commend the SNP amendment to the chamber. I move amendment S2M-5655.2, to insert at end:"but believes that, as many of the targets in the current Organic A...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I welcome the publication of the "Third Organic Annual Report", which is a document about which I take rather a more positive view than the previous speaker ...
Mr Ruskell:
Green
The table on page 54 of the Soil Association's "Market research study into the market penetration of Scottish organic produce" shows that only 50 per cent of...
Alex Johnstone:
Con
We are making radical progress. The danger in failing to match supply and demand is a collapse in prices. We have avoided that so far. In fact, the Executive...
Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green):
Green
Our amendment echoes the terms of Sarah Boyack's motion on organic food fortnight, which was debated last September and which called on the Scottish Executiv...
Mr Arbuckle:
LD
By how much would the Greens increase the organic support budget?
Eleanor Scott:
Green
We think that about £23 million would meet the true demand. As for Mr Arbuckle's intervention on an earlier speaker, saying that people can farm organically ...
Mr Andrew Arbuckle (Mid Scotland and Fife) (LD):
LD
I point out to Ms Scott that a fair proportion of the agriculture sector operates on an unsupported basis—the producers of pigs, poultry, potatoes and soft f...
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
Does the conventional farming that the member talks about use a lot of nitrate fertilisers? Is that a traditional form of Scottish farming? Can the use of su...
Mr Arbuckle:
LD
Conventional farmers do not use a lot of nitrate fertilisers, although they use them. Organic farmers use copper sulphate solution, which is pretty noxious, ...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the "Third Organic Annual Report". It seems a long time since I last spoke on the subject, when I supported the aims of Robin Harper's Organic Farm...
Stewart Stevenson (Banff and Buchan) (SNP):
SNP
There has been a fair degree of change in the period of just more than four years since we last had a debate on organic farming—most of it has been for the b...
Mr Arbuckle:
LD
Will the member give way?
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
I am sorry, I am in the last minute of my speech.I have difficulty with the claim that we are on target. According to the minutes of the 23rd meeting of the ...
Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab):
Lab
Like other members, I welcome the progress that has been made in moving organic produce up the agenda in Scotland and in taking the issue more seriously than...
Mr Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
Is that why you are sitting behind him?
Karen Gillon:
Lab
Jamie McGrigor can see that I am far enough away not to be part of his group.Like many members, I recognise the quality of what is produced throughout the fa...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
I was a bit concerned, at the beginning of the debate, that it would be about motherhood and organic apple pie, albeit laced with finest Benromach malt whisk...