Food & Health Alliance

This food and drink policy lays out a plan of action for all stakeholders to work towards a healthier, wealthier and more environmentally sustainable Scotland.

Scotland's first food and drink policy was launched on June 26 2009. It outlines the progess to date and the required next steps in balancing a sustainable food industry. This is in terms of supporting and growing the Scottish food and drink industry as well as improving the Scottish diet and securing an environmentally sustainable future for Scotland.

The development of this policy, started back in the early part of 2008 when the Scottish Government (SG) launched a discussion paper 'Choosing the Right Ingredients', whereby over 500 individuals and organisations responded including the Food & Health Alliance. From this consultation, diet and nutrition, local food and local economies, health promotion, the environment, education and access were the most important issues to be included.

Then in June 2008 the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment, Richard Lochhead, established five workstreams to provide recommendations. These workstreams were:

• Sustainable economic growth of the food and drink industry led by Allan Burns of Scotland Food and Drink
• Healthy and sustainable food and drink choices led by Professor Annie Anderson of Dundee University
• Celebrating and safeguarding Scotland's reputation as a Land of Food and Drink, supported by Martin Wishart, Restaurateur
• Walking the talk - getting public sector procurement right led by Robin Gourlay of East Ayrshire Council
• Food security, access and affordability led by Reverend Professor David Atkinson.

Each workstream has published a report with their recommendations.

A Food and Drink Leadership Forum was also established. Champions were appointed to reflect the key fundamentals of health, environment, affordability and the economy. The Forum was tasked with making recommendations to the Scottish Government based on the workstream reports. The Champions were:

• Professor Phil Hanlon of the University of Glasgow for health
• Professor Jan Bebbington of the Sustainable Development Commission and St Andrew's University for the environment
• Ken MacKenzie of the Scottish Retail Consortium for the economy
• Dave Simmers of the Community Food Initiative North East for affordability.

In addition, Gavin Hewitt, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, was asked to represent the drinks industry.

All the reports (workstream and Leadership Forum Report) are also available on the Scottish Government website.