The National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFUS) has urged the British and Scottish governments to implement food labelling initiatives to help in maintaining food security.
The announcement was made by NFU Scotland’s president Martin Kennedy during an agricultural event AgriScot held at Ingliston outside Edinburgh, Scotland.
NFU Scotland said that a new initiative will help underpin the country’s food security and self-sufficiency, as well as help in enhancing the production of high-quality food within the nation.
According to Kennedy, the establishment of a new effort, which is backed by the UK and Scottish governments retailers, the food service sector, catering, and consumers, will help in identifying the required production standards.
It is further expected to help in simplifying all parts of the food chain to eventually support domestic production.
Kennedy said: “As an industry we are extremely proud of what we produce and how we produce it, but sadly when it comes to generating a return, it doesn’t stack up.
“A labelling initiative could allow us to better inform our consumers about the origin of all the food and drink they are purchasing and allow them to make informed decisions. I firmly believe that this is where we could see governments and industry working together like never before.
“I believe loyalty to domestic production from all parts of the food chain can be supported by legislative change to labelling and that would enhance our ability to keep producing food profitably and locally.
“It is a huge frustration to farmers and crofters when we regularly see our own produce, which has been raised and grown to some of the highest standards, being undermined by imports that often fail to meet or match our standards of production.”
The NFUS has already commenced discussions with the associated stakeholders and politicians on labelling efforts to help in identifying food products that have more than 50% of ingredients sourced from outside the UK.
It will promote greater transparency on the place of origin of the food item, allowing consumers to make informed choices.
