Stevenson Supports NFUS ‘SHELF WATCH’ Campaign To promote Local Produce

Banffshire & Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson has is encouraging local residents to take part in a new campaign launched by the National Farmers’ Union Scotland (NFUS), designed to show Scottish branding on shop shelves.

The ‘Spot it – Snap it – Send it’ campaign encourages supermarket customers to use their mobile phones or cameras to snap a picture of examples of good and bad uses of Scottish labelling while grocery shopping. NFU Scotland has announced it will be working with its members, and volunteers from Consumer Focus Scotland, to monitor how Scottish branding and advertising correlates with produce that can be found on supermarket shelves, and is encouraging all consumers to take part in the campaign.

As part of the NFU campaign, examples of good or bad uses of Scottish branding can be photographed and sent to 07920 018621, or shelfwatch@nfus.org.uk, along with the name and location of the store.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

“This is a very welcomed initiative from Scotland’s farmers' union and I hope it will help raise awareness of how best to promote our local larder.

“The North-east is rightly famous for its wonderful produce and the food sector is hugely important to the local area. Getting branding right and encouraging folk to buy local is good for the environment as well as the economy.

“It’s important that shoppers can trust and understand the labels on the products they buy, and I hope that constituents will take this opportunity to share any good – or bad – examples they find of Scottish branding on produce.”

More information about the campaign be found at: http://www.nfus.org.uk/news/2011/june/nfu-scotland-launches-shelf-watch-campaign