SCOTTISH Conservatives have demanded answers over the timescale of the promised Good Food Nation Bill, describing its delay as a display of political 'dithering' on the part of the Scottish Government.

Tory rural spokesperson Edward Mountain has written to Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing asking for a timescale for the delivery of a consultation on the bill, which Mr Mountain suggested was already two years late.

The idea of a Good Food Nation Bill was first announced in the Scottish Government’s programme for government, in 2016, and in January 2018, Fergus Ewing announced a consultation would be launched this year, but gave no indication of a specific date.

The intention of the bill was to outline a vision for Scottish food and drink, which encompasses environmental sustainability, social justice, knowledge and prosperity, and to help everyone in Scotland have access to healthy and nutritious food year-round.

The Food Commission was created to provide evidence-based advice on what measures the Scottish Government should take to achieve this vision by 2025.

Replying to Mr Mountain, Mr Ewing said: “The Scottish Government remains committed to our ambition for Scotland to continue to develop and grow as a Good Food Nation. Much is already being done across Government to deliver on this commitment. We are currently considering how best to take this work forward, including through consideration of the recommendations of the Scottish Food Commission, and will provide more details in due course.”

Mr Mountain commented: “Is the Good Food Nation Bill still on the table? The Rural Economy Secretary has given no assurances that a consultation will be launched. Last month the Rural Economy Secretary gave a statement on the future of farming that made no mention of the Good Food Nation Bill.

“Farmers and producers, who have hopes that this Bill will strengthen Scotland’s domestic food and drink market, are dismayed that the Scottish Government have neglected this for over two years,” he continued. “More delays are simply unacceptable. The time has come for the Rural Economy Secretary to stop dithering and step up to the plate."