HEALTH, WEALTH AND MOTHER EARTH

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st Jun 2007

Speaking ahead of his first Members’ debate this evening, Jim Hume, MSP for the South of Scotland, spoke of the importance of the introduction of local food procurement in Scotland’s public sector and the enormous benefits to the nation’s health, local economy and our environment.

Jim Hume said:-

“I believe that local food procurement for public agencies can help with three contemporary issues – health, wealth and our mother earth.

“By encouraging the public sector to use local companies we can improve our health through fresh produce, help our planet by reducing food miles and encourage local economic growth which can only be good for communities both rural and urban.

The MSP continued:-

“The public sector really is in an excellent position to lead the way and the example of East Ayrshire Council’s school meals pilot which followed the Soil Association’s Food for Life initiative shows it can be done without any additional cost and with no compromise on quality – quite the reverse in fact. I want to see pilots like this rolled out across Scottish schools.

“It isn’t rocket science – the benefits are clear to see. Local procurement is a very useful tool in achieving sustainable development and I shall be seeking firm assurances from the Cabinet Secretary today that every effort will be made by the Executive to engage with the public sector in ensuring that the public sector leads by example.”