Question reference: S5O-04017
- Asked by: Angela Constance, MSP for Almond Valley, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 8 January 2020
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Current status: Answered by Christina McKelvie on 16 January 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will make a clear commitment and implementation plan to enshrine the right to food in Scots law.
Answer
The Scottish Government is fully committed to tackling food insecurity and to fulfilling human rights for every member of Scottish society.
The First Minister’s Advisory Group on Human Rights Leadership recommended an Act of the Scottish Parliament be developed to provide human rights leadership, supported by a public participatory process and capacity building to ensure its effective implementation.
In response, the First Minister announced the establishment of a National Taskforce for Human Rights Leadership which is now considering the recommendations and working to establish a legislative framework for a Scottish Bill of Rights that can bring internationally-recognised human rights into domestic law. The Taskforce will report on its work in 2021.
They are the right group to consider this area, particularly when we are aware there are technical and legal challenges with a statutory right to food which we need to resolve.