Chamber
Plenary, 10 Nov 2005
10 Nov 2005 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Scottish Food Fortnight
This market day is wearing late, but the subject being discussed makes the debate worth while. I welcome the debate, which is all about food quality, standards and more sustainable and sensible use of economic resources.
Good food means good health. I support absolutely Scottish food fortnight's promotion of the greater use of local produce to create local employment and its encouragement of higher standards of husbandry, animal welfare and ingredients in food production.
Having long supported a fair deal campaign for food producers abroad, I believe that we need a similar campaign for Scottish farmers and our fishing industry. Local farmers markets, which have been reintroduced into Scotland, have reminded customers exactly what quality food tastes like and has allowed farmers direct connection with customers, along with a better price for their product. In contrast, Scotland's dairy industry faces a financial crisis, in spite of a promised fairer deal from supermarkets. Scotland's quality beef industry is being undercut by a cheap, foreign imports policy. The fair trade campaign, which ensures direct payment and benefit to primary producers abroad, should also be applied to our own Scots farming industry to provide a just and fair return for its efforts.
Thankfully, there is now a rising in Scotland—a positive consumer reaction at a local level, with the growth of locally produced quality foods and local business opportunities. Basic, well-produced foodstuffs that are suited to local climates, that involve minimal transportation and that are sourced from trusted and known sources of production are now creating local employment and local economic benefit. I have seen at first hand the growth of this Scottish niche market and its potential for local and national economic development and services.
In Angus, there is the annual Forfar food festival at Glamis castle. When I was there, I met representatives of the world gathering of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society in what was a showcase of good, wholesome Angus food production and sales. The Arbroath seafest celebration is attracting massive crowds. Farmers markets are now well established in Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose, and there are more to come. Letham village has its craft fair and Victorian market. The Arbroath smokie now has European official status, and a locally produced smokie tartan, and I thoroughly recommend both.
The motion seeks to get local authorities involved. I assure Alex Johnstone that Angus Council is already involved. It has introduced a berry day in Angus schools, as part of the national hungry for success programme, supporting healthy eating in schools with superb Angus soft fruits on every school menu. Our local factories produce quality fish and fruit products, and we have a magnificent array of restaurants with locally produced foods on their menus. Near where I live, in Carmyllie, the Milton Haugh farm shop has grown from small beginnings into a substantial, thriving business that is based on quality and attracting customers in search of good, quality-assured wholesome meals and foodstuffs. There is now an established and growing quality-foods system that is dedicated to the appreciation of genuine taste and quality, which is re-educating a generation about what food should taste like. Such local products, the origins of which are known, lead to greater trust and appreciation by consumers.
The debate is about an opportunity to meet a growing demand for good food that is quality assured and locally produced and which sustains local employment and economic well-being. I congratulate this new development and wish it all success as an important part of improving the quality of life and reminding us that good food does, indeed, mean good health.
Good food means good health. I support absolutely Scottish food fortnight's promotion of the greater use of local produce to create local employment and its encouragement of higher standards of husbandry, animal welfare and ingredients in food production.
Having long supported a fair deal campaign for food producers abroad, I believe that we need a similar campaign for Scottish farmers and our fishing industry. Local farmers markets, which have been reintroduced into Scotland, have reminded customers exactly what quality food tastes like and has allowed farmers direct connection with customers, along with a better price for their product. In contrast, Scotland's dairy industry faces a financial crisis, in spite of a promised fairer deal from supermarkets. Scotland's quality beef industry is being undercut by a cheap, foreign imports policy. The fair trade campaign, which ensures direct payment and benefit to primary producers abroad, should also be applied to our own Scots farming industry to provide a just and fair return for its efforts.
Thankfully, there is now a rising in Scotland—a positive consumer reaction at a local level, with the growth of locally produced quality foods and local business opportunities. Basic, well-produced foodstuffs that are suited to local climates, that involve minimal transportation and that are sourced from trusted and known sources of production are now creating local employment and local economic benefit. I have seen at first hand the growth of this Scottish niche market and its potential for local and national economic development and services.
In Angus, there is the annual Forfar food festival at Glamis castle. When I was there, I met representatives of the world gathering of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society in what was a showcase of good, wholesome Angus food production and sales. The Arbroath seafest celebration is attracting massive crowds. Farmers markets are now well established in Arbroath, Forfar and Montrose, and there are more to come. Letham village has its craft fair and Victorian market. The Arbroath smokie now has European official status, and a locally produced smokie tartan, and I thoroughly recommend both.
The motion seeks to get local authorities involved. I assure Alex Johnstone that Angus Council is already involved. It has introduced a berry day in Angus schools, as part of the national hungry for success programme, supporting healthy eating in schools with superb Angus soft fruits on every school menu. Our local factories produce quality fish and fruit products, and we have a magnificent array of restaurants with locally produced foods on their menus. Near where I live, in Carmyllie, the Milton Haugh farm shop has grown from small beginnings into a substantial, thriving business that is based on quality and attracting customers in search of good, quality-assured wholesome meals and foodstuffs. There is now an established and growing quality-foods system that is dedicated to the appreciation of genuine taste and quality, which is re-educating a generation about what food should taste like. Such local products, the origins of which are known, lead to greater trust and appreciation by consumers.
The debate is about an opportunity to meet a growing demand for good food that is quality assured and locally produced and which sustains local employment and economic well-being. I congratulate this new development and wish it all success as an important part of improving the quality of life and reminding us that good food does, indeed, mean good health.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S2M-3242, in the name of Alex Johnstone, on Scottish food fortnight. The debate will...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament congratulates the organisers of Scottish Food Fortnight which seeks to reconnect the people of Scotland with their countryside through th...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
The farmers market came to Holyrood some five weeks ago with representatives of food producers from all over Scotland. Stalls were set up in the garden lobby...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
Before Alex Johnstone reaches the end of his remarks, could he tell us whether he enjoys Scottish food and, if so, in what quantities?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
Who is he trying to kid?As a farmer, I know just how high the quality of Scottish food can be. Scottish food fortnight demonstrated to more than 90,000 visit...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Alex Johnstone on a motion that is close to my heart. Before Murdo Fraser leaves, I should tell him that I have a picture of a certain MSP—at ...
Eleanor Scott (Highlands and Islands) (Green):
Green
I welcome the motion; indeed, I can say that Alex Johnstone has lodged a motion that I entirely support. I echo his congratulations to all those who are invo...
Richard Lochhead (North East Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Alex Johnstone on securing the debate. It is highly appropriate that Alex—the Parliament's very own Desperate Dan—is holding a debate on food....
Alex Johnstone:
Con
Next year.
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
The farmers market that was held here in the Parliament a few weeks ago was excellent. I commend the macaroon bars, which were the best I had tasted in my li...
Shiona Baird (North East Scotland) (Green):
Green
I welcome Alex Johnstone's motion. I will not make any further comments—he is lovely just the way he is. I congratulate both Alex Johnstone and the Countrysi...
Mr Andrew Welsh (Angus) (SNP):
SNP
This market day is wearing late, but the subject being discussed makes the debate worth while. I welcome the debate, which is all about food quality, standar...
Mr John Swinney (North Tayside) (SNP):
SNP
For those of us who live in rural Scotland, the ability to access farmers markets is an extraordinary privilege and is very much an every-weekend occurrence,...
The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Rhona Brankin):
Lab
The debate highlights the important work of the Scottish food fortnight and recognises the important part that food production plays in sustaining rural econ...
Mr Swinney:
SNP
On the requirement for producers to compete on a level playing field, is not it important for the Government to insist on the same standards of quality for p...
Rhona Brankin:
Lab
Yes—the definition of best value includes quality. In that respect, local authorities should follow the Executive guidelines as closely as possible. However,...
Meeting closed at 17:45.