He remarked: “[It is important that] essential food items, and I stress essential food items, remain affordable to members of the public.
“It’s needed because no one should have to choose between feeding their family and meeting other basic needs. But we also know that achieving our aim requires very careful consideration and handling.
First Minister John Swinney at the Quality Meat Scotland breakfast at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh. (Image: Andy Buchanan/PA)
“It cannot come at the expense of farmers, growers and producers who produce these items for us all,” Mr Swinney added.
“So the commitment I give you today, in the spirit of what I’ve just said about the engagement that enhances public and government policy, is that we will work constructively and closely with you on how this cap is implemented to ensure it is well informed and effectively delivered.”
Ahead of last month’s Holyrood election, the SNP pledged to introduce a mandatory price cap on “essential food items”, including bread, milk, and cheese.
The policy would apply to major supermarkets, which would be required to cap the price of at least one of their brands for a particular item.
Jonnie Hall, NFU Scotland’s director of policy, has warned Scottish farmers and producers will face “severe” consequences if the government “gets this wrong”.
He remarked last month: “NFU Scotland’s position is straightforward.
“We recognise concerns around food affordability. We support efforts to reduce food insecurity. We are ready to engage with government on practical solutions.
“But we will firmly oppose any intervention that undermines sustainable domestic food production or treats farmers and crofters as the financial shock absorbers for wider political objectives.”
At Thursday’s breakfast, Mr Swinney also spoke of his government’s decision to oppose a reduction in livestock numbers.
“This is one of the commitments which people might think is almost a statement of the obvious,” he quipped, “but I would point out that the government was advised to take steps as part of climate action to reduce livestock numbers and decided not to take that course of action.
“And that’s not a simple thing for government to do. It takes an awful lot of careful consideration about what we can do as alternatives to fulfil our climate objectives.
“But fundamentally, the government took a decision that we considered was absolutely right for Scottish agriculture and for the preservation of what Sarah talked about, livestock production and also the heritage of Scottish agriculture and its significance within the national identity of our country.”
Audience members react to Mr Swinney’s speech. (Image: NQ)
Sarah Millar is the chief executive of Quality Meat Scotland, the public body in charge of promoting Scotland’s red meat sector.
She compared the esprit de corps of the agricultural industry to the Tartan Army three thousand miles away in Boston, remarking:
“The Tartan Army travelling in their thousands to the US is a reminder that when it really matters, Scotland knows how to come together. Club rivalries disappear, differences are set aside, and suddenly we’re all on the same team, backing our boys in blue on Scotland’s national team.
“Now, I’m not suggesting that we all go and don the face paint and jet off to America, but that spirit of unity and collaboration, we do need that,” Ms Millar added.
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“The opportunity in front of us is significant. The Scottish red meat sector is already a powerhouse, worth over 3.5 billion in output and delivering over a billion in gross value added to our economy. But we all know we can and we must do more.”
Mr Swinney also drew parallels to the exploits of Steve Clarke’s squad.
He said: “The most common point that’s been said to me as I’ve been walking through the show this morning is, ‘Why didn’t you decide to stay in Boston for the Morocco game on the night?’
“To which I said, ‘Well, how on earth could I have done that? I would have missed the Royal Highland Agricultural Show if I’d done it.’ So, I’ve come back specially to see you all this morning.”
