Stevenson Calls on Retailers to Back Local Farmers

Stewart Stevenson, SNP MSP for Banffshire & Buchan Coast, has backed the Scottish Government call for retailers to support local farmers by sourcing Scottish products.

Richard Lochhead at the
Aroma Cafe

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, has written to major high street coffee chains urging them to commit to using Scottish milk and other produce as Scotland’s agricultural sector copes with volatile global markets.

Mr Stevenson said:

“With farmers across Banffshire and Buchan Coast and over Scotland going through tough times as a result of poor weather conditions and low prices, it is incumbent on all of us to do what we can to support them. This is why I’m calling on major retailers to commit to sourcing Scottish products - to support our farmers in their hour of need.

“Scotland’s food and drink sector enjoys an unparalleled reputation across the world – and it’s time that retailers do their bit to ensure that this success filters down to primary producers here in my constituency, and help to ensure a fairer deal for local farmers.

“There are already inspiring examples of retailers in Scotland committing to using local produce to support our farmers – and I hope that many more businesses in the North-east will quickly follow suit.”