Protecting and Growing Scotland’s Iconic Food and Drink Sector (Amendment 1)
S6M-16839.1: As an amendment to motion S6M-16839 in the name of Mairi Gougeon (Protecting and Growing Scotland&rsquo;s Iconic Food and Drink Sector), insert at end "; notes the further risk to Scotland&rsquo;s food and drink industry posed by rural depopulation, caused by a lack of housing supply and weakened transport links; acknowledges that the Food and Drink Federation estimates that the sector needs nearly 35,000 new recruits by 2031 to fill skills gaps; welcomes the commitment by the UK Labour administration to not water down the legal definition of single malt whisky; believes that the Scottish Government can do more to promote the unique nature of Scotch whisky and other Scottish food and drink exports to maximise the reach of Brand Scotland; calls on the Scottish Government to work across every department to drive a coherent strategy on food and drink as part of a wider industrial strategy, and further calls for clear career pathways in these industries to address skills gaps and drive excellence in the world-famous sector."

Original motion(S6M-16839):
That the Parliament recognises the value and importance of Scotland&rsquo;s food and drink sector in terms of economic benefits, its particular importance to Scotland&rsquo;s rural and island communities and, importantly, its role in enhancing Scotland&rsquo;s reputation on a global scale; further recognises the risks of the proposal for an English whisky geographical indication that could undermine Scotch whisky and single malt, which is central to the economy; acknowledges the challenges and opportunities faced by the sector in an ever-changing world; calls for cross-party support to ensure that the sector continues to receive backing and support in order to grow sustainably and contribute to a prosperous and thriving economy; notes the new risk from tariffs, and calls on the UK Government to do all that it can to protect Scotland&rsquo;s businesses and consumers from their impact.