No-one should be going hungry, says Rhoda Grant as she lodges Right to Food Bill
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has called for urgent action to tackle food poverty after lodging her proposal for a draft bill that would see the right to food enshrined in law.
The Right to Food (Scotland) Bill seeks to have an independent statutory body to oversee food policy to ensure no-one goes hungry in Scotland. If passed, it would mean the Scottish Government would have responsibility for ensuring that food is available, accessible and adequate for everyone.
“Many of us take the availability of food for granted but the truth is tens of thousands of people in Scotland are living in food poverty, even in 2021," Mrs Grant said. “The pandemic has only exacerbated this, making the need for action all the more urgent.
“My bill will enshrine a right to food in law, placing responsibility on the Scottish Government to make this a reality.
“The government has dragged its feet on this for years, failing to this day to set out any concrete plans or timescales.
“No-one should be going hungry in a wealthy nation like Scotland, particularly a country which such a strong reputation for excellent food production. By enshrining the internationally recognised right to food in Scots law we can send a clear message that hunger has no place in modern Scotland.
“There is no time to waste while the SNP dithers and delays – we need to act now.”