Ukraine crisis: Scots set up food security taskforce

The Scottish government has set up an emergency taskforce to tackle potential disruption to food security and supply resulting from the war in Ukraine.

The short-life Food Security and Supply Taskforce’s remit will be to identify and monitor changes caused by the conflict and respond with measures to alleviate the impact.

It will be co-chaired by rural affairs secretary Mairi Gougeon and Scotland Food & Drink chief executive James Withers.

See also: Urgent measures needed to safeguard food security

Taskforce members will also be drawn from organisations across the food and drink sector to create a widespread of knowledge and expertise. It will meet frequently over the coming weeks.

Ms Gougeon said that the immediate focus was to support those suffering in Ukraine.

But she said: “We need to act to better understand the potential impact of disruption to the food supply chain in Scotland.

“And, understand how industry and government might work together to manage and mitigate those, and be alert to the resulting impact on the cost of food products.�?

Energy bills

Among the impacts, Ms Gougeon noted the hugely challenging increases in energy bills that affect everyone in the food industry, from farmers to hauliers, and processors to retailers.

As well as monitoring and responding, she said the taskforce would recommend actions that could be taken by business and the Scottish and UK governments to mitigate the challenges.

Mr Withers added that the impact was already being felt, and with Ukraine’s position as a major producer it would cause long-term disruption.

“From wheat and barley to sunflower oil, Ukraine and the surrounding region is a major player in terms of global food supply and agricultural production,�? Mr Withers said.

“While immediate supplies of food and animal feed are secure, even if prices are rising sharply, there is clearly a shock to the system coming,�? he warned.

Volatility

NFU Scotland (NFUS) had earlier warned of the likely severity of the impact on food production and called for the supply chain and governments to act.

The union said it had been tracking the price of four key agricultural inputs – ammonium nitrate fertiliser, red diesel, feed wheat and feed barley.

Union chief executive Scott Walker said inflationary pressures across the whole supply chain had been building and market volatility was at exceptional levels.

“NFUS believes that maintaining stability so that farming businesses retain their capacity to produce food must be a priority.

“Whatever this group identifies, we need the government to act on its recommendations,�? Mr Walker urged.