Chamber and committees

I am conscious that there is loads to cover, but I want to focus on ultra-processed foods.

Henry Dimbleby and Jemima Lewis were co-authors of a book called “Ravenous”. Recently, Henry Dimbleby gave a presentation at the shaping the science for the Scotland’s food future event at Dynamic Earth. It was really interesting to hear him talk about his research and his work on a proposed food strategy.

We know that the food system is really complicated, but is it a good idea to replace Scottish lamb and Scottish beef that are produced to high welfare standards with meat replacements containing chemicals such as stabilisers, emulsifiers, xanthan gum, guar gum, colours, flavourings and stuff that has been labelled as “industrially created enteric substances”? Is that really food? Given that we produce meat to the best welfare standards, I would be interested to hear your thoughts on replacing that with ultra-processed food that has unpronounceable chemicals in it, and how that links with, for example, the issue of the high levels of fat, sugar and salt in food.

I have a wee supplementary question. One of the questions in the Scottish Government’s consultation was about restricting the sale of foods with high levels of fat, sugar and salt within 2m of the checkout. What Sandesh Gulhane said about product placement in supermarkets is valid. There are challenges for us in Scotland when it comes to marketing and advertising; we cannot control what Ofcom does about advertising on television, because that is a reserved matter. However, with regard to supermarkets, we can certainly advocate for restrictions on product placement at the end of the aisle or within 2m of a checkout. Is that something that we could support?

I am looking at the Food Standards Scotland website. The “Eatwell Guide” is available in British Sign Language—there is a wee video—so it is probably worth us sharing that on our social media.

I have a question on food crime. That is another area where people seem to be unaware of the work of Food Standards Scotland. I know that time is tight—we might need to get more information by writing to you—but that work is really important and I am interested to hear a quick word on the food crime prevention strategy and what that means.

We have also not really talked about food for cattle and the role of Food Standards Scotland in the regulation and monitoring of feed for animals that end up in our food supply chain. However, food crime is something that you were probably expecting to be asked about, so I am happy to hear about that.

Good morning to the witnesses. From what you have just described, Food Standards Scotland’s remit is pretty huge and broad-ranging, and I am really interested in the work that Food Standards Scotland does on a range of issues, as you know.

I will come on to issues around ultra-processed foods in a wee minute but, first, I will talk about the University of Edinburgh’s research and recommendations on red meat consumption. We keep hearing about beef being really bad for the climate, and I worry that our farmers in Scotland are condemned for beef production, although they do it really well. Scotland is just a wee country that, compared with China, the USA and Russia, has really low carbon emissions.

I am interested in hearing about the recommendations for a reduction in red meat consumption. To achieve a 20 per cent reduction in the average intake, the previous recommendation of no more than 70g a day has been reduced to no more than 60g a day. There are a lot of figures around that, so I am interested to hear what consideration Food Standards Scotland has given to the findings from the University of Edinburgh’s research into recommendations for reduction in red meat consumption.

That is great; thank you. I know we might have to get some further information from you.

It is really about the wider recommendation on supporting young people right through the process. The information that we have says that it has been said to be based on dubious science. I would be interested to hear how that is one of the misrepresentations of the report.

It does help, actually—it shows the power of correct words. Thank you.

Good morning, cabinet secretary. A lot of this has been covered already, but you mentioned marine spatial planning and issues, for instance, on the west coast and in the south-west waters. There is the Solway Firth, the Irish Sea and the Isle of Man, and it has always been difficult to look at fishing off the south-west coast.

Can you confirm whether the marine directorate will use the REM data to help to improve the management of spatial planning? Ultimately, it is all about ensuring the long-term sustainability of fishing. I am interested in hearing further information about that.

I have a final quick question. We talked earlier about how retailers were supporting the implementation and use of the REM systems. Will the Government seek to engage with retailers to get more direct feedback about how they endorse REM as part of sustainable fishing?

Good morning. You mentioned that some scallop boats already have remote electronic monitoring. I think that that has been implemented since January 2023. Have you already been getting data from those boats? How is that working with regard to compliance, data and engagement, for instance? My understanding is that the scallop boats have been doing that voluntarily already, so a wee bit of feedback about that would be helpful.