THE quality of East Lothian’s food and drink sector has been praised at Holyrood.

Martin Whitfield, an MSP for South Scotland who is based in the county, was speaking during a Scottish Parliament debate on food and drink in Scotland.

He also described East Lothian Foodbank as a “vital lifeline to those in need”.

Mr Whitfield began his speech by referring to the “food and drink county” and congratulated the local food and drink sector on the excellence of their products.

Mr Whitfield also highlighted the huge public support for local producers during the Covid-19 pandemic and the efforts of local communities to help combat food poverty.

This included the ongoing work of East Lothian Foodbank and other community food groups working across the South Scotland region.

After his speech, Mr Whitfield said: “Scotland is fortunate to produce some of the finest food and drink to be found anywhere in the world.

“As Scotland’s food and drink county, East Lothian is very much at the heart of this excellence and I was pleased to highlight and congratulate local producers and businesses in the sector during this debate.

“I believe everyone should have the right to access healthy and nutritional food.

“But, despite our status as a nation where fresh, quality food is plentiful, far too many households are currently struggling with the basics and experiencing food poverty. This was already growing pre-Covid but the last 18 months has seen an acceleration in food insecurity, with East Lothian Foodbank and other local community food projects providing a vital lifeline to those in need.

“As I stated during the debate, malnutrition and hunger should simply not exist in 21st-century Scotland and enshrining a statutory right to food in Scots law would deliver the necessary change to eradicate food poverty.

“That’s why I’m delighted my colleague Rhoda Grant has lodged her proposal for a draft bill which would see the Right to Food become law.”