Food Rights in Government’s Vision ahead of Human Rights Day

Nourish Scotland Press Release

For Immediate Release: Friday 08 December, 2017

 

Food Rights in Government’s Vision ahead of Human Rights Day

Ahead of Human Rights Day (Sunday 10 December), the Scottish Government published their response to the recommendations of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review. [1] This is a 5-yearly cyclical review of performance across all UN human rights treaties.

The Scottish Government gives evidence to the reviewing Working Group through the UK Government, but is able to publish its own response to recommendations made.

The UPR made 227 recommendations, many of which relate to devolved powers.

Scottish civil society groups had submitted evidence to the UPR including concerns around inaction on high levels of food poverty, overweight and obesity, food related climate impacts, and conditions for food producers.

 

Reacting to the report, Elli Kontorravdis, Policy & Campaigns Manager at Nourish Scotland said:

“It is clear throughout the report that the Scottish Government continues to take their human rights responsibilities seriously.

“Whilst important steps have been taken to mitigate the harsh impact of austerity there is much more work to be done to fully realise the right to food.

“Everyone has a right to be able to eat well – to achieve this we are going to need to reframe our food system around the needs of people and planet.

“We see the Good Food Nation Bill as the vehicle for protecting and progressing food rights, and expect consultation on this to begin in Spring 2018.

“More generally we are pleased to see that the Government has followed suggestions from civil society to respond not just to the UPR process, but to the whole portfolio of recommendations made by UN treaty bodies.

“This means we now have a much more comprehensive idea of the direction of travel on human rights in Scotland, published just in time for Human Rights Day on Sunday 10 December.”

ENDS

 

Contact details

Elli Kontorravdis, Policy & Campaigns Manager

elli@nourishscotland.org.uk

0131 226 1497

 

Notes to Editors:

[1] The Scottish Government’s response to the recommendations of the Universal Periodic Review are available online: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00528654.pdf

Nourish Scotland is a food justice organisation. We believe a fair, healthy and sustainable food system is possible. www.nourishscotland.org