Scotland’s largest food retailers have today met with Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Development Richard Lochhead to discuss the development of the country’s first ever national food policy. 

Representatives from Asda, Tesco, Waitrose, McDonalds and Marks & Spencers attended today’s event in Edinburgh alongside industry and government representatives.

Lochhead said:

“Today is a useful opportunity to listen to retailers views on the wide-ranging issues currently under discussion in our food policy. We want the freshest, finest future for Scottish food. Supporting food production and manufacturing in Scotland is in our national interest and retailers have a vital role to play in this.

“We are already forging positive and fruitful working relationships with retailers in Scotland and I am grateful for their participation in our national discussion of the future of food. Important issues such as sustainable supply chains, affordability, food labelling and sourcing are all imperative to a successful future food policy for Scotland.”

Fiona Moriarty, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said:

“Retailers are committed to having an open and frank discussion on the long-term food policy for Scotland. We look forward to working with the Scottish Government to identify priority areas for action that will encourage growth and innovation in all parts of the food supply chain, whilst balancing the needs of customers with retailers, suppliers and farmers.”