Cap on Essential Food Prices

Through our public consultation and events such as the fair food summit that was held last week, we are engaging closely with stakeholders from across the food supply chain to understand potential impacts arising from the proposed cap, including concerns about product availability. Future decisions will be taken following careful consideration of the evidence and stakeholder views that were gathered during the consultation.

I want to provide the member with assurance, because I think that this is the second time that he has raised that issue with me. I am engaging extensively right across the food system. Following First Minister’s question time today, I will be away to meet a food producer in East Lothian. Later this week, I will be engaging with members of the wholesale community. That follows on from extensive engagement that I have had over the summer and that I will continue to have.

I want to assure the member, and all members across the chamber, recognising the strong interest in this policy proposal, that we will be engaging thoroughly through the formal consultation and the engagement that I will take forward. I encourage the member to submit a formal response to the consultation. I very much look forward to considering and reflecting on his informed opinions on the matter.

The member raises an important point. We have been clear since the inception of that policy proposal that protection for consumers cannot come at the expense of an impact on food producers. Our farmers, all of whom are involved in our food production system, play a role that is integral to our way of life and our economy in Scotland. We are committed to the close engagement that we are having, through the consultation and the other engagement that will be part of the process, so that we understand fully all potential risks and can identify how they can be mitigated.

Again, I want to reassure the member that no final decisions have been taken. We will consider the outcome of the consultation very carefully. Any proposals that will be brought forward will be consistent with the principles that we have set out—

—to protect and support consumers and to ensure that producers are protected as well.

I recognise that there is a range of opinions, and it is important that there is an opportunity in the process for people to set out their views. I am absolutely committed to taking forward a robust and consensual approach to policy development. I welcome the opportunity to engage with all members of the wider business community, particularly those who are involved in the food system in this country, so that we can learn from their expertise and insight and develop a response to this issue, on which we share an interest, as there is consensus on the need to protect consumers, particularly those who are feeling the costs of food inflation most acutely.