Whether it has set up an advisory panel in relation to its forthcoming survey of public attitudes to food and farming and, if so, how the m…

The Scottish Executive has recently set up an advisory panel in relation to its forthcoming survey of public attitudes to food and farming. The organisations represented on the advisory panel are the Food Standards Agency Scotland, the National Farmers Union of Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland, the Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers, the Scottish Consumer Council, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Environment LINK and the Scottish Food Qualifications and Certification board. The organisations were chosen following internal discussion and consultation with various external stakeholders. The organisations were chosen to represent a broad range of producer and consumer interests rather than to represent particular modes of production. The Executive recognises the importance of organic food and organic food production and the advisory panel will cover these interests. Organic food and farming will be one aspect of food production addressed in the survey.