Scottish Greens call on supermarkets to reinvest in food supply chain
Scottish Greens have proposed measures to safeguard Scotland’s food supply chain during the coronavirus crisis.
Supermarket profits have been boosted by people stocking up, and these should be reinvested up the food supply chain to give farmers and foodbanks greater security, according to Scottish Greens food and farming spokesperson Mark Ruskell.
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP has written to Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon and leading supermarkets with suggested measures that could be introduced to protect the food supply chain. [1]
These include commitments to pay suppliers on delivery, a sale guarantee for farmers and better links with emergency food providers like foodbanks, to ensure they are well stocked.
Commenting, Mark Ruskell said: “The coronavirus has shown how powerful supermarkets are in our food supply chain, but suppliers and producers need more security to meet increased demand, while foodbanks also need more security to ensure they are well stocked.
“Supermarkets need to recognise the moral and social obligation they have to protect the supply chain at this difficult time.
“My proposals would provide the certainty farmers and foodbanks need at this time and keep food on our tables. I hope we can see this level of cooperation from the sector.”