- Taskforce established with industry representatives.
A short-life taskforce has been established to monitor, identify
and respond to any potential disruption to food security and
supply resulting from the impact of the war in Ukraine.
The Scottish Government has set up the Food Security and Supply
Taskforce jointly with industry. It will be co-chaired by Cabinet
Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands, and Chief Executive of
Scotland Food & Drink, James Withers.
Drawing on technical and scientific knowledge and expertise from
across a range of sectors, agencies and organisations, the
taskforce will include key food and drink industry leaders and
will meet frequently over the coming weeks.
Ms Gougeon said:
“The truly terrible events in Ukraine and the resulting western
sanctions on Russia are, rightly, changing the way the world does
business. Our immediate focus as a Government continues to be on
doing everything we can within our power to support the people of
Ukraine and address their humanitarian need.
“We need to take action now to better understand the potential
impact of disruption to the food supply chain in Scotland, how
industry and government might work together to manage and
mitigate those, and be alert to the resulting impact on the cost
of food products. Over the last two years, our food and drink
sectors have experienced a series of shocks in terms of disrupted
supply chains and new barriers to trade through COVID and Brexit.
It is clear that the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine will have
further impacts – not least through the hugely challenging
increases in energy bills which affect households and everyone in
the food industry, from farmers to hauliers, processors to
retailers.
“That is why the Scottish Government has convened a taskforce
jointly with industry to monitor, identify and respond to these
issues, as well as recommending actions that can be taken by
business, the Scottish and UK Governments to mitigate the
challenges. Crucially, the taskforce will also consider how we
can continue to get products and food supplies to Ukraine we must
not forget that there is a population still there that will
desperately need our help and support in the weeks ahead.
“I welcome the involvement of food and drink industry leaders
across Scotland and look forward to working together to
strengthen food security and supply.”
James Withers said:
“The establishment of this taskforce is a welcome and an
important step. The immediate focus from the war in Ukraine
is on the humanitarian fallout. However, it is also
critical that we assess urgently the potential impact of the
conflict on national food security and supply. From wheat and
barley to sunflower oil, Ukraine and the surrounding region is a
major player in terms of global food supply and agricultural
production.
“Immediate supplies of food and animal feed are secure, even if
prices are rising sharply. However, whilst much still
remains unknown in terms of the impact of the war on global
supply chains, there is clearly a shock to the system
coming. We must understand its implications for Scotland’s
farmers, food manufacturers and consumers and consider any short
or medium-term action we can take to mitigate their impact.”
Background
Parliamentary Question:
S6W-07457
