Scotland

In 2022, Scotland passed the Good Food Nation Act, a landmark piece of legislation that aims to align food with Scotland’s social, environmental, economic and health goals. Key to transforming the food system, will be the creation of local good food nation plans by every local authority and health board over 2025/26. Through the Food Conversation in Scotland, citizens engaged were clear in their asks for strong leadership, fairer supply chains, healthier food environments, and real accountability. FFCC is working with the new Scottish Food Commission and partners to embed these asks and explore solutions to support greater citizen participation and dialogue within these plans.

As set out in evidence from the James Hutton Institute, funded by SEFARI Gateway and FFCC, Scotland could be at the forefront of the agroecological transition. There is huge potential for sector-wide change to deliver Scottish policy on climate, nature, health, and rural support and to ensure businesses and communities are resilient to geopolitical shocks. The research identified three key areas where support is required – Finance, Advice and Training and Access to land.

We are currently working in collaboration to identify practical and radical solutions to these gaps in support. We are also working to create the conditions for the Scottish Government to propose and implement the progressive legislation required to support a just transition to agroecology.

Read our 'Agroecology in Scotland' briefing here

Visit the Agroecology Scotland resource library here

FFCC is working with partners to collate insights and evidence from Scotland’s approach to multifunctional land use decision processes, particularly Scotland’s Land Use Strategy (LUS) and evolving Regional Land Use Partnerships (RLUPs.) This will inform our ongoing discussions about land use decision-making across all four UK nations and the Republic of Ireland. 

Explore our Rough Guide to the Multifunctional Land Use Framework

Read Land Use beyond Borders – learning about land across five nations

The first report from FFCC Scotland, A Scotland Field Guide for the Future, gathered stories from people and organisations making real changes on the ground, and showed how government, businesses, groups and citizens are working together to improve the environment and the public’s health and wellbeing. This listening continues to help shape our work in Scotland supporting the commitment of the Scottish Government to a Just Transition in Land Use and Agriculture.