The National Good Food Nation Plan - Accompanying Statement

Rural Affairs and Islands Committee

124. The RAI Committee provided a copy of the official report from the meeting with stakeholders who gave evidence on the proposed Plan. The key themes we have identified from this report are set out below: the Scottish Government response is provided for each.

Key theme: A key theme raised was the possible conflicts in relation to the Good Food Nation Outcomes including delivering on food production and climate and nature recovery, and how they will be resolved as work progresses.

125. We recognise concerns raised at the Committee session in relation to these matters. The six Outcomes should be considered as a whole. While not all policies can and will be able to contribute to all Outcomes, we consider that a Good Food Nation can only be achieved if progress is made in relation to all Outcomes.

126. We recognise that conflicting policy priorities are possible. However, the specified functions and our internal working mechanisms should help address any conflicts as they arise as they are intended to support a collaborative and joined up approach to food policy. This is the first national Plan and there will be an element of refining and changing working practices as more is learnt about how the need to have regard to the national Plan works in practice. This is a new and innovative approach and will require flexibility in identifying what best helps us achieve a Good Food Nation.

Key theme: There was discussion at the Committee session around specified functions and how they will be taken into account within the development of local plans.

127. An overview of how specified functions work in general terms is available online.

128. Specified functions give legal effect to the national Plan by requiring the Scottish Ministers to have regard to the Plan when exercising those functions specified in secondary legislation.

129. A separate piece of secondary legislation will set out the specified functions and specified descriptions that will require relevant authorities to have regard to their own local Plans. These specified functions and descriptions have not yet been identified. We will consult relevant authorities when preparing the draft legislation.

Key theme: The Committee were interested in the leadership, governance and scrutiny of the National Good Food Nation Plan and where the Plan sits in terms of the hierarchy of other Scottish Government policies.

130. All Scottish Government policies are guided by the National Performance Framework. This is why our Outcomes are designed to align with the National Outcomes in the Framework.

131. A key aim of the Good Food Nation work is to increase consistency and improve joined up working in relation to food policy. We have recognised in the national Plan where our work intersects with other policies of a strategic nature. We continue to work with our colleagues across the Scottish Government to ensure we are aligning on priorities.

Key theme: A key theme raised was the role and remit of Scottish Food Commission. This includes next steps, how local plans will be monitored to ensure they are aligned, and any potential role for Scottish Food Commission to facilitate public participation in food policy.

132. We note this and thank the Committee for their interest in the role and remit of the newly established Scottish Food Commission.

133. The Commission’s main functions, as set out in legislation, will include: scrutinising and making recommendations in relation to the Good Food Nation Plans and progress reports; conducting research; and providing advice to the Scottish Ministers, local authorities and health boards in relation to their Good Food Nation Plans. The independent advice and recommendations of the Scottish Food Commission will be of huge value as we move to new ways of working.

134. As noted earlier in this statement the Scottish Food Commission have independence over how they will exercise their functions and once a senior management team is in place this will be set out in a corporate plan.

Key theme: A key theme raised was views from stakeholders that the narrative of the current state of the food system in the Good Food Nation Plan is limited in its appraisal of where we currently are in Scotland.

135. It is our intention that this first national Plan sets the baseline of where we are in relation to the food system and provides the building blocks for food system transformation. For this Plan, that has involved setting out our current situation in terms of the actions already being taken across the Scottish Government. This has been a substantial undertaking and an important step in terms of starting the process of embedding the Good Food Nation concept across a wide range of policy areas.

136. We recognise that there is a long way to go, but is important to build a knowledge base of what we as a government are currently doing in relation to food policy. The breadth of the policies covered highlights the challenge in front of us in bringing all of them under the Good Food Nation umbrella and building consistency across these wide-reaching topics.

137. We expect that future national Plans may have a different structure and focus to this first one as we learn more about how our innovative approach works in practice. Changing our food system will require commitment and likely several iterations of the Good Food Nation Plan cycle.

Key theme: There was interest in the opportunities for Local Authorities to become anchor organisations to support food producers, particularly in rural areas, in relation to Community Wealth Building.

138. We agree with the Committee’s comments on the opportunities with regard to anchor organisations and note that these can be organisations such as health boards and local authorities who have a strong local presence in an area. By sourcing more goods and services locally, and with organisations that work ethically and sustainably, anchor institutions can have a positive impact on community wealth and wellbeing.

139. For example, all NHS Boards have Anchor Strategic Plans setting out how they will take forward community wealth building in three key areas: workforce; local procurement; and use of NHS land and buildings for community benefit. Work is underway to explore how the NHS can increase the volume of goods and services it purchases from local and inclusive businesses, and where the local supply base could be further developed to address any gaps in the supply chain.

140. The wording in the national Plan has been updated to reflect these opportunities.

Key theme: A key theme raised was how progress will be measured and how indicator data gaps will be filled over time, whilst considering the most impactful data and balancing the burden of data collection.

141. Data updates on the initial indicators will be published in line with the legislative requirement to report every two years on the progress towards achieving the Outcomes set out in the national Plan.

142. Addressing data gaps is an ongoing priority, but improvements will rely on collaboration across Scottish Government portfolios - including health, environment and economy. We note it is important to recognise not all data is currently available or in a manner suitable for collection. Addressing these evidence gaps, and improving the existing data indicators, will be a priority for future national Plans.

143. We continue to prioritise the most meaningful and feasible indicators, drawing on existing data wherever possible to minimise burden. Ongoing investment in research, such as through the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Strategic Research Programme, also supports long-term improvements to the food data landscape in Scotland.

Key theme: There was discussion in relation to ultra processed foods not being included within the Population Health Framework as a health harming product.

144. We note the concern of the Committee and stakeholders in relation to ultra processed foods and note the evidence given at Committee on the Population Health Framework and ultra processed foods.

145. Ultra processed foods are not included within the Population Health Framework as the Scottish Government and Food Standards Scotland remain committed to using the latest scientific consensus of established evidence to inform our view on ultra processed foods.

146. We note the comments made in Committee regarding the need for alignment between the Population Health Framework and the Good Food Nation Plan. Joined up policy development is one of the main aims of the Act and we will continue to work with those leading on the Population Health Framework to ensure that there is consistency and alignment between these two pieces of work.

Key theme: A theme raised was the research from Food Standards Scotland on the nutritional impacts of reducing meat and dairy consumption in line with Climate Change Committee recommendations.

147. In the national Plan we have set out that the Scottish Dietary Goals and the Eatwell Guide are at the foundations of a healthy and balanced diet in Scotland, including adequate consumption of specific food groups. This includes recommendations around levels of consumption of red and red processed meat.

148. A report from Food Standards Scotland in 2024 modelled the impact of reductions in meat and dairy consumption on nutrient intakes and disease risk. As noted in the report most people should be able to get the micronutrients they need by consuming a healthy, balanced diet as depicted by the Eatwell Guide.

149. The report also noted that if all adults living in Scotland met the Scottish Dietary Goal for red and processed red meat, in line with existing public health recommendations, there would be a small reduction in average Body Mass Index and a small reduction in cases of cardiovascular disease over a ten-year period. The research also estimates there would be a reduction of ~10,000 cases of Type 2 diabetes over a ten-year period.

150. The independent Climate Change Committee recently submitted its advice on carbon budgets to the Scottish Government. While we have accepted the Climate Change Committee’s proposed carbon budget levels to reach net zero, we will not be accepting their policy recommendations which would have had a detrimental impact on our agriculture sector and wider rural economy.

Key theme: A key theme raised was whether matters that are reserved to Westminster which may impact on the wider food environment, such as television advertising, may make delivery of the Good Food Nation Plan more difficult.

151. We note the Committee’s comments on areas of the wider food environment that are reserved to Westminster. We acknowledge that the Scottish Government does not have full control of all the levers that can be used to influence the direction of food policy, including the wider food environment. We will continue to work with our counterparts in the UK Government on a range of issues in relation to food policy.

Key theme: A key theme raised was that relevant authorities will require support and resources to share knowledge, learning and best practice to achieve the Good Food Nation ambition.

152. We note the Committee’s comments about providing support for relevant authorities. We are aware that relevant authorities are likely to be at different stages of thinking and development of their local Plans. We are developing a variety of methods to provide support. This includes the work already done to identify lead contacts for each relevant authority so that communications and dissemination of key information can be more easily cascaded through their organisations.

153. We also identified a need for specific guidance for relevant authorities regarding their legislative duties. The guidance, published in March 2025, set out what may be required when preparing a local Plan and the associated workshop provided an opportunity for discussion. We are considering additional ways that we can provide further support to relevant authorities and what would be most useful to them as part of this process.

Key theme: A key theme raised was how animal welfare is being prioritised in the national Good Food Nation Plan

154. We recognise the importance of the health and welfare of animals in our food system. Animal health and welfare is a key component of our Good Food Nation Outcomes and as set out in Outcome 2 is an important part of a sustainable food system that supports our net zero and climate adaptation ambitions.

155. During the evidence session it was suggested that animals could be included in Figure 1 of the national Plan, which we now have implemented.

156. We have also commissioned the Scottish Animal Welfare Committee (SAWC) to recommend robust, meaningful and achievable indicators of animal welfare for farmed animals utilising currently available metrics, which could be included in the next iteration of the Good Food Nation Plan. This will help to make tracking our progress against Outcome 2, in the context of animal welfare, more robust.

157. In addition, we have changed the wording in Outcome 2 from “..in maintaining and improving animal health and welfare” to “..in protecting and improving animal health and welfare”. This is to increase alignment with other legislation and strategic documents in this policy area e.g. the Agriculture and Rural Communities Act and the draft Livestock Health and Welfare Strategy.

Key theme: A key theme raised was how food producers, in particular in rural areas, may struggle to access processing facilities and participate in local supply chains.

158. We recognise that small producers are an important part of the food system in Scotland and remain firmly committed to supporting and empowering them to play a key role in making our Vision for Agriculture a reality.

159. This year, up to £1 million is being invested through the Small Producer Pilot Fund to continue to support innovation, resilience, and growth across the sector. The fund offers flexible financial support, access to training, and connections to local food supply chains, abattoirs, and small businesses.

160. Those individuals or groups with a holding no larger than 30 hectares (excluding common grazing) are eligible. As we move forward with the Pilot Fund, we will further assess additional needs for local communities and this sector, and how we can support them.

161. In relation to access to abattoirs specifically, our Small Producers Pilot Fund plays a key role in facilitating this across the country and especially in rural and island areas. This has included funding for private kill coordinators to support the efficient transport of livestock, as well as support for groups seeking to undertake feasibility studies. Throughput is of course vital in this regard to ensure that plants are fit for purpose and have a viable future.

162. We also continue to support our producers within the food and drink industry and their ability to access processing facilities, including a commitment in the Programme for Government to provide £5 million to support food processing and marketing. We are working with stakeholders and delivery partners to develop a suitable delivery mechanism for this support. An update to the national Plan has been made to reflect this support.

Key theme: A key theme raised centred on the lack of a dedicated budget to support the plans and whether this suggests there’s no real commitment. As the Good Food Nation Plan is for five years, longer term budgets would reduce uncertainty.

163. A framework for the next Scottish Spending Review was published as part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy, and it is our intention to publish the conclusions of the Scottish Spending Review alongside the Scottish Budget in January 2026.

164. Scottish Ministers and officials will engage with stakeholders across Scotland to understand the priorities and key issues that the Scottish Spending Review must address, and we will investigate options to provide indicative multi-year allocations to key sectors to ensure that we offer certainty where possible.

Key theme: A key theme raised was what opportunities for engagement there have been during the development of the proposed Good Food Nation Plan and how others, including children and young people, were engaged in the process.

165. We launched a public consultation on the proposed Plan in early 2024. It asked for views on the national Good Food Nation Outcomes; ways of measuring progress; and provided examples of how different groups of people would experience life in a Good Food Nation.

166. To encourage children and young people to contribute to the consultation, a Good Food Nation “Session Plan” was distributed to schools. This was intended as a resource for teachers to lead a session on the consultation during the school day. It was distributed via well-established educator networks to ensure as wide a coverage as possible. A cover note explained why the children and young people were being asked to contribute and linked this to work on their human right to be heard, a concept that is already embedded in their education.

167. The consultation responses have played a significant role in helping to shape the proposed Plan. Details on how we have taken the responses into consideration are included in a statement that accompanied the proposed Plan at the time of laying before the Scottish Parliament in June 2025.

Key theme: The discussion during the Committee session noted the local plans produced by relevant authorities may provide more clarity on how the Outcomes within the National Good Food Nation Plan will be turned into actions.

168. The Act requires that relevant authorities each produce their own local Plan; this allows for a level of flexibility in approach to better suit individual local requirements. The existing guidance is intended to give an overview of the steps that relevant authorities should follow when writing their local Plans.

169. As noted elsewhere in this statement the Act sets out legislative requirements that the relevant authorities need to fulfil when developing their own local Plans. These legislative requirements will ensure there is a minimum baseline that all relevant authorities should meet and the core aspects of what the Plans must contain are very similar. This means there will be a common thread throughout all the Good Food Nation Plans, as they must consider these same aspects.