Martin Whitfield MSP has pledged his support for a colleague’s proposal for a draft bill which would see the Right to Food enshrined in Scots Law.

Rhoda Grant MSP’s Right to Food (Scotland) Bill seeks to enshrine the right in law and create an independent statutory body to oversee food policy to ensure no one goes hungry in Scotland.

The passage of this bill would mean that the Scottish Government would have responsibility for ensuring that food is available, accessible, and adequate for everyone.

Commenting on his support for the Bill, Martin Whitfield MSP said:

“Enshrining the Right to Food in law is a longstanding aim of Scottish Labour as well as many organisations fighting hunger and poverty in Scotland. While most of us are fortunate to be able to take the availability of food for granted, tens of thousands of people across Scotland continue to live in food poverty.

“The pandemic has only exacerbated this, making the need for action all the more urgent. In twenty-first century Scotland no-one should be going hungry, particularly as we are a nation with such a strong reputation for excellent food production.

“The Government has dragged its feet on this for years, failing to set out any concrete plans or timescales. That’s why I welcome and support Rhoda Grant’s Bill to enshrine a Right to Food in law, placing responsibility on the Scottish Government to make this a reality.

“By seizing this opportunity to enshrine the internationally recognised right to food in Scots Law we can send a clear message that food insecurity and hunger have no place in modern Scotland.”