FOOD SECURITY SHOULD BE TOP PRIORITY OF NEW GOVERNMENT

Food security should be top priority of new Government

The CEO of the Scottish Seafood Association, Jimmy Buchan, says it is essential that protecting national food security is one of the top priorities of the new Labour Government.

Speaking to Fish Focus, he said early indications were that the Government recognised the importance of protecting and encouraging the development of the UK food sector, but only time would tell whether that turns into reality.

He said: “We live in times of great uncertainty, with the war in Ukraine and ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, which has helped focus the Government’s mind on food security and the need to make it a priority. Indeed, food security is not just national, but also international in perspective, given the ongoing growth in the world population.

“Scottish seafood has a very important role in fulfilling national and international food security requirements, especially since it is a renewable resource that is healthy-to-eat and nutritious.

“The seafood sector has undergone many challenges in recent years, including the Covid pandemic, Brexit, and the cost-of-living crisis, and it is important that both the UK and Scottish governments work together to put in place a policy framework that enables businesses to thrive, rather than just merely survive.

“The new UK Government talks about wanting to grow the economy, but it can only do that by facilitating this process where food businesses have a chance to develop and expand, the impact of which will provide economic benefits that will spiral down throughout society.”