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Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 October 2007

archived scottish local food news

SNH is organising the event in association with the City of Edinburgh Council. Cost £55.  Lunch and refreshments provided. For reservations and bookings contact Karen Smith on 01738 458555, or email sgp@snh.gov.uk.(17 July 2007)
 

For more information on the study, and how to take part, contact Chris Wond, LISS Project Manager on 01506 864800, e-mail chris@liss-scotland.org.uk.  Those completing the survey will be entered into a draw to win a bottle of 15-year old Macallan! (17 July 2007)
 

To find out more about the campaign, download the colourful seasonal calendar or take the pledge to support Scottish farmers, visit www.whatsonyourplate.co.uk, or contact NFU Scotland, Rural Centre, West Mains, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8LT, Tel: 0131 472 4000, Fax: 0131 472 4010, Email: editor@nfus.org.uk.  (17 July 2007)
 

• UK National Food Labelling Provisions - The European Commission (EC) is currently reviewing EU food labelling legislation and has indicated that the current food labelling directive will be replaced by a directly applicable regulation". (Source:
  http://www.food.gov.uk/consultations/ukwideconsults/2007/uklabelling2007)
• SALT GUIDANCE PUBLISHED - "The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA), in collaboration with the FSA, has published a guidance document for small and medium sized businesses on salt reduction. This publication provides information and practical tips for businesses on how to reduce salt in meat products, while considering factors such as food safety, labelling and additives". (Source:
  http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2007/jun/bmpasaltguide). (27 June 2007)

Farmed Fish Sold as Wild Fish
The Food Standards Agency has conducted a survey that has found a potential problem of consumers being sold farmed sea bass, sea bream and salmon that has been labelled as ‘wild’ fish.  The survey has two parts: firstly, to look at whether consumers buying fish at retail are being informed of the geographical origin of the fish, and the production methods - whether caught or farmed; and secondly, to investigate the extent to which the fish sold were ‘wild’.

The survey found that 15% of retailers provided consumers with no information, or incorrect information about the fish or their origin, with smaller businesses, such as fishmongers, scoring least well in this area.

Wild fish samples were purchased from supermarkets, fishmongers, fish auctions, and specialist food shops to be analysed. According to the samples gathered for the Agency survey, about one in ten fish sold as ‘wild sea bass’ and ‘wild sea bream’, and one in seven fish described as ‘wild salmon’, were actually farmed fish.

(Source: http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2007/may/farmedfish and http://www.food.gov.uk/news/pressreleases/2007/may/fishsurvey). (16 May 2007)
 

Catering for Better Waste Regulation
Douglas Boyle of Organic Services (Scotland) Ltd, is urging responses to SEPA’s current consultation on "Better Waste Regulation" - how the present regulations governing waste management can be improved. Douglas said,” I think the biggest step forward would be to get Meat-Included Catering Waste rationalised in definition and to get the Exemptions to include ALL catering waste, not just meat-excluded catering waste.  The consultation represents a major chance to shift the goalposts in favour of rational application of regulation "proportional to risk" and I do believe that we may be pushing at an open door”. The consultation and documentation can be found on the SEPA website under "consultations": http://www.sepa.org.uk/consultation/current/bwr/index.htm.

A slide presentation on a ‘Strategy for Food Residuals’ explaining the rationale behind the urgency to recycle catering waste is available from Douglas Boyle douglasboyle@hotmail.com,  Jenny Grant at TCA-S scotland@compost.org.uk , or Sarah Lagden at CRNS sarah@crns.org.uk. (16 May 2007)
 

Scottish Diet Action Plan (SDAP) Review & Cross Party Group on Food Debate
On 7 February, the Cross Party Group on Food held an interesting debate on the first theme of the Scottish Diet Action Plan Review - ‘Closer integration between the policy goals of improving Scotland’s diet-related health and those of social justice, sustainable development and agriculture’. The minutes can be accessed at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/crossPartyGroups/groups/cpg-food.htm before 3 April, after which time it will be taken down from the website.  

The full SDAP review document, executive summary and supporting information are available to download from the Health Scotland website:    

http://www.healthscotland.com/understanding/evaluation/policy-reviews/review-diet-action.aspx. A short DVD film that highlights some of the areas of success of the SDAP review has been made called   ‘Recipe for a Healthier Scotland’ and is available from fha@health.scot.nhs.uk.  (29 Mar 07)
 

Under discussion will be: Consideration of labelling provisions in draft Codex standards; Guidelines for the production, processing, labelling and marketing of organically produced foods; Labelling of foods and food ingredients obtained through techniques of genetic modification/genetic engineering; General standard for the labelling of pre-packaged foods (quantitative declaration of ingredients); Discussion paper on advertising in relation to nutrition and health claims; Modified standardised common names.
(Source: http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2007/mar/codex35). (29 Mar 07)
 

For further information contact manager Linn McDonald, i2detail Events on 0131 659 769, email linn@i2detail.co.uk, or visit the website on www.ssdforum.org.uk/index.php?id=12&sub=43. (31 Jan 07)
 

For  further details please contact contact Rebecca Greene on  0131 623 2552, email: Rebecca.greene@shsc.csa.scot.nhs.uk.

The Review of the Scottish Diet Action Plan, Progress and Impacts 1996 -
2005 report is available to download at:

www.healthscotland.com/understanding/evaluation/policy-reviews/review-diet-action.aspx . (31 Jan 07)
 

On the agenda will be practical workshops on adaptive gardening techniques, balancing the needs of gardeners with those of the organisation, design ideas for Therapeutic Gardens, and Bridgend Organic Allotment.  There will also be a Gardeners' Question Time Panel and further workshops and discussion sessions, and a seed swap.  For further details contact Mary Thomson, Information & Support on 01738 624348 or email hortictherapy@yahoo.co.uk. (31 Jan 07)
 

Mentors provide advice on establishing allotments, setting up a constitution, promotion and security etc.  Full training and expenses are given.  An information pack and further information is available on 0191 262 8276 or email ari@farmgarden.org.uk.   (31 Jan 07)
 

The government's Advisory Committee on Organic Standards (ACOS) is looking for 7 new members. ACOS is a Government sponsored Non-Departmental Public Body, which advises UK Government departments on organic standards. It also advises on the Certification aspects of the organic inspection regime.  The closing date for applications is Friday, 22 December.  More information and application forms at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/regulat/forms/publicap/index.htm. (12 Dec 06)
 

The first issue of the Ezine, 'Local Bites', is now available, and has the latest in local food developments in the Highlands & Islands.  It can be downloaded from their excellent website at www.hilocalfood.net/. The website has a map where you can click to find local food producers, retailers and projects.

Currently top of the agenda at HILFN is the the Highland Council’s school food supply contract up for renewal with tenders invited in the spring of 2007.  This and lots more at www.hilocalfood.net/. (27 Nov 06)
 

The review has concluded that although there have been many successes, there needs to be a 'step-change' in Scotland's diet - given the alarming rise in levels of obesity - and an increase in the pace of change.  It points to the need for greater cross-government action and stronger partnerships with others at all levels.  A daunting, but achievable challenge, it says, is a requirement to align the whole food system towards health improvement and sustainable development goals.

(Source: The Review of the Scottish Diet Action Plan: progress and impacts 1996 - 2006) (27 Nov 06)
 

The results of the audit will be available via a searchable on-line database, through libraries and community centres, and will provide details for writing up case studies of good practice. (27 Nov 06)