Lack of progress in sourcing Scottish for school meals
Alison Johnstone MSP, Health, Children & Young People spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (1 March) expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in sourcing Scottish chicken for school meals.
Freedom of Information requests by Alison three years ago revealed the extent of the problem, with many councils flying in chicken nuggets from Thailand.
Fresh FOI requests by the BBC show councils spent £1.3m on chicken products from Thailand last year.
Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said:
"It's disappointing that 3 years on from our investigation this remains a problem. Our economy is losing out. Government food policy remains too focused on exports rather than supporting local procurement. Councils need support so they can buy Scottish more often."
Scottish schools meals serve chicken from Thailand (BBC, 1 March 2017)