We can feed the country

Oct 24 2008 by Cheryl McEvoy, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

SOUTH Ayrshire could play a vital role in increasing domestic food production in Scotland.

And MSP John Scott believes that the Scottish Government must be central to solving problems with food shortages and rising prices.

He met with the cabinet secretary for rural affairs and the environment Richard Lochhead at the Scottish Parliament this week to discuss the findings of a new report published by the Scottish Conservative Food Security taskforce.

And revealed that it includes a range of proposals to tackle the issue.

The MSP for Ayr explained: “The need to meet the increasing challenges of food scarcity and rising food prices has, over a few short months, shot up the political agenda.

“That's why during the summer the Scottish Conservatives commissioned a Food Security Task force, two of whose members – myself and Struan Stevenson MEP – come from Ayrshire farming backgrounds, to draw up a range of proposals to help meet those challenges.”

Mr Scott said: “Amongst our recommendations are the need to repeal much of the red tape and regulation that burdens farmers, a more flexible approach to planning in rural areas, a more localised supply chain, including local food procurement, binding annual carbon emission targets to combat climate change, and the continuation of the Less Favoured Area Support Scheme.”

And Mr Scott insists that there is strong cross-party agreement on the subject.

He added: “I was delighted to have the opportunity to discuss our findings with the cabinet secretary.

“I was especially pleased to learn that he has already acted upon another of our key recommendations by instructing his officials to seek a meeting with his counterparts in the other UK administrations to discuss food security concerns.

“As our report made clear, intra-governmental co-operation will be crucial in taking forward solutions in this area, and I am delighted that the Scottish government has taken this on board.

“With farming and other rural industries making such an important contribution to the economy and wellbeing of South Ayrshire, I hope that by taking our message to the heart of government, and by seeking a co-operative approach from all concerned, the interests of rural Ayrshire and rural Scotland as a whole can be best promoted.”