Last year we were reflecting on the rare moment of policy confluence for farming and land use, with the land reform, farm subsidy reform and Just Transition Commission’s work jointly presenting an opportunity for deeper change. But agriculture and land use are only part of the food
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At yesterday’s Committee meeting the many attempts to improve the Good Food Nation Bill went nowhere, as the Government was in no mood to compromise. The amendments clarifying the Bill’s purpose as giving effect to the right to food, setting up an independent food commission, committing to
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The Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment (RAINE) Committee is currently taking evidence on the Good Food Nation Bill. And the most striking thing about the cross-party committee and all the witnesses called so far is the consensus around wanting the Bill to do more. As convenor
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…and we need to work together to get it where it needs to be. Blink and you’ve missed it: the long-awaited Good Food Nation Bill was published by the Government just over a week ago. The Bill has come a long way, and over the past 5
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It’s hard not to be impressed by this year’s Programme for Government. There’s a definite green tinge and a renewed focus on getting stuff done as hopefully we emerge from the pandemic. When it comes to food, it’s a jigsaw puzzle with bits and pieces scattered across
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This week, two milestone reports were released on poverty in the UK. The UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty, Philip Alston, released his final report following a fact-finding mission to the UK last autumn. Alston details how increasing poverty and an undermined welfare system meant that for many of
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The long-awaited consultation on a Good Food Nation Bill was published just before Christmas – you can read it here. It is complex and confusing in places, but the proposals are significant. This Bill will not suddenly change the way we produce or eat food: it is not
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Yesterday at 5pm, the Parliament passed a motion requesting the Scottish Government to bring forward a Good Food Nation Bill, which has the right to food at its heart, joins-up all aspects of food policy, and includes targets for areas of policy which impact on food. And
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The Scottish Food Coalition, of which Nourish is a member, is disappointed that the Scottish Government’s ambition for what it means to be a Good Food Nation seems to have diminished. Today’s Programme for Government has scaled back on a firm commitment to legislation, opting instead for
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So, what is a ‘Good Food Nation’ then? One with sourdough bread made from heritage Scottish grain, delicious cheese from Scotland’s ethical dairy that is pioneering in animal welfare, organic salad leaves and strawberries picked fresh locally? All such delights were found at the Scottish Food Coalition’s
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