Right to food under consideration by Scottish Government

Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, Angela Constance MSP has confirmed that she is considering putting the right to food into Scots law. ​

The Scottish Food Coalition has campaigned for taking a rights-based approach to tackling food poverty, arguing that everyone should have access to adequate food with choice and dignity.

The announcement comes as the Minister responded to the recommendations of the Short-Life Working Group on food poverty. Angela Constance indicated that the right to food would be considered as part of the wider Good Food Nation agenda. 

"A key part of this engagement would be exploring further your recommendation regarding the right to food and whether this ought to be considered for inclusion within the Good Food Nation Bill. "

At the Scottish Food Coalition, we're delighted that the Scottish Government is exploring a joined up approach to food policy and considering this important step of incorporating the right to food in Scots Law.

The full report from the Short-Life Working Group on Food Poverty is available here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/06/8020

The response from the Cabinet Secretary is available here: https://beta.gov.scot/publications/food-poverty-response-to-working-group/Scottish%20Government%20response%20to%20Food%20Poverty%20Short-Life%20Working%20Group%20Nov%202016.pdf?inline=true

The Scottish Government press release on making the right to food a reality is available here: http://news.gov.scot/news/making-the-right-to-food-a-reality
​
Finally, Nourish's evidence to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is available here: http://www.nourishscotland.org/nourish-report-to-un-cescr/