“Following
the recent media coverage regarding Edinburgh City Council and red meat
being off the menu in Edinburgh schools, both QMS and NFUS would like
to highlight discrepancies in the reporting on what the city’s decision
to sign the up to the non-binding Plant Based Treaty means. Although
plant-based options will be available in schools, our understanding is
that young people will still have red meat choices as part of a healthy,
balanced diet. That forms a great platform to discuss how we can get
more local, sustainably produced food included in public procurement in
the future.
“Both
parties are in the process of setting up joint meetings with local
councils including Edinburgh, to discuss the benefits of red meat in a
healthy balanced diet and how all local authorities can ensure
Scotland’s Good Food Nation Bill, passed by the Scottish Parliament in
June, delivers jointly for the Scottish people and the Scottish Food and
Drink industry.
“By
comparison, the Plant Based Treaty runs contradictory to the good food
nation plans that Government, local authorities and health boards are
obliged to create as part of the Good Food Nation Bill.