Effective oversight of good food nation policy and plans is essential, says Holyrood Committee

Effective oversight of the good food nation policy and plans is essential to achieving the good food nation ambitions, according Holyrood’s Rural Affairs Committee, in a report published today.

In its report on the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill, published today, the Committee says that parliamentary approval on the national plan ministers are required to create would “give Parliament its place in the good food nation plan process and provide parliamentary accountability of the Scottish Government in achieving its good food nation aims.”

The Committee also agreed that there is a need for an oversight body to oversee the implementation of the Bill and asks for urgent clarity as to whether the Scottish Government intends to designate one, either by means of a new or existing body.

The Committee says it is concerned that consideration of an oversight body is in the early stages and that it should be included within the Bill - along with clarity around the role the body will play in supporting and monitoring local authorities progress against their plans. It says that ‘further information, and reassurance, about this oversight function is essential.

Speaking as the report was launched, Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said;

“Without increased oversight of the Scottish Government’s good food nation policy and plan, it is impossible for us to reassure stakeholders that the wide ranging concerns they expressed during evidence sessions, particularly in relation to resource, policy cohesion, the link between national and local plans and targets and outcomes, will be addressed.

“We accept that this is a framework bill but strengthened oversight throughout the planning process will be key to the success of our ambition for a food system that works for the people of Scotland.”

The report also asks the Scottish Government to provide a financial statement which lays out the costs that are likely to fall to relevant authorities in relation to the creation, development and implementation of good food nation plans and how this will be resourced.

During evidence sessions, many local authorities were concerned about the lack of information provided with Public Health Scotland saying that ‘significant resource’ would be required. Argyll and Bute Council supported this, saying that, “without adequate resources, the plan will ultimately become a piece of paper with ambitions on it.”

Other recommendations made in the report include;

• That high level objectives which reflect the broad vision and ambitions for the good food nation policy be included in the Bill
• The Committee agrees that the right to food be incorporated via forthcoming human rights legislation but that the Bill should align closely with the proposed right to food, especially until a statutory right to food is in place.
• That consultation undertaken by either Scottish Ministers or local authorities on draft good food plans must be as wide, inclusive and participatory as possible.
• Consultation methods for both national and local plans should be ‘tailored for each specific audience’ acknowledging that ‘one size will not fit all’.
• That the Scottish Government ensures that relevant authorities have access to information and advice to support the development of their plans. 

Current proposed reporting:

Every two years, Scottish Ministers and relevant authorities must publish a report setting out progress made towards achieving the outcomes set out in the good food nation plans. Every five years, Ministers and relevant authorities must review their good food nation plans and at the end of that review, may revise the plan/s. 

In both instances, only the Scottish Government’s progress report and plans must be laid before Parliament. The Parliament is asking for approval on the Scottish Government’s plan and it’s subsequent five year plan.