SNP MSP Colin Beattie has today backed the Scottish Government’s calling on retailers to source Scottish products in support of local farmers during difficult economic times.

The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment Richard Lochhead has already written to major high street coffee retailers urging them to commit to using Scottish milk and other produce as Scotland’s agricultural sector copes with volatile global markets.
 
Commenting, Colin said: 

“With poor weather conditions and low prices, farmers here in East Lothian and across Scotland have been going through tough times. It is our responsibility to do what we can to support them – which is why I’m calling on major retailers to commit to sourcing Scottish products.

“Scotland’s food and drink sectors enjoy an unparalleled reputation worldwide – and it’s time that retailers here at home recognize and support the high quality of our local products. We need to ensure that this success filters down to primary producers here in East Lothian to ensure a fairer deal for local farmers.
 
“There are already inspiring examples of retailers in Scotland committing to local produce in support of our farmers – and I hope that many more businesses in East Lothian will quickly follow suit.”

Colin Beattie, MSP for Midlothian North and Musselburgh, has today in the Scottish Parliament received a petition for a 20 mph speed limit to be set within Fala Village. 

Jenny Grahame, as a representative for all residents of Fala Village, collected local support for this blanket limit taking in the entire village, most importantly around the local nursery and children’s play park. 

The residents are fully behind the petition for a 20 mph speed limit, being very concerned about the lack of footpaths within Fala Village and the risk that speeding cars pose to children and other walkers along the roads in the village. 

Colin Beattie MSP commented: 

“I’ve been involved with this campaign for some time and as early as the end of June I wrote to council to urge them to look into the possibility of establishing a speed limit for Fala Village.It is important to establish safeguards like speed limits to protect the welfare of everyone in our community. We know that many children cross the road to get to their play park, and that one of the busiest roads runs right past the nursery.

"We must enact precautions such as these to allow our young children a safe atmosphere as they begin to develop road safety awareness.We are also aware that Fala Village has a large elderly population, who may not be as mobile as they used to. A speed limit would give these residents the freedom to be out and about without the fear of oncoming drivers. Setting a speed limit will reduce the risk of injuries and accidents while increasing driver awareness, creating a safer environment for the residents of Fala Village.

"I look forward to handing over this petition to the council and I strongly hope that they will respect the needs of the residents of Fala Village and take the sensible step in securing their safety.”

Today, Colin Beattie MSP welcomed the First Minister’s speech announcing the Scottish Government’s Programme for Scotland. 

The speech was made on 1st September at the Scottish Parliament, and covered the themes the Programme will be based on. These include:

• Building a Stronger and Fairer Scotland 

• A Strong, Sustainable Economy 

• Protecting and Reforming Our Public Services 

• Strengthening Our Communities 


The Programme will also introduce a series of new bills, including: 

 Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill

 Bankruptcy Consolidation Bill

 Budget Bill

 Burial and Cremation Bill

 Lobbying Bill

 Private Tenancies Bill

 Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill

 Scottish Elections (Dates) Bill


Colin remarked: “This is a Programme designed to help people the length and breadth of Scotland. We should rightly be proud of it.

“The new Bills are going to help tackle some of the most contentious issues of our age. For example, ‘revenge porn’ can cause tremendous damage to people – the new Abusive Behaviour and Sexual Harm Bill will take major steps to address this issue.

“The Private Tenancies Bill will bring unfair rent increases under control and ensure that tenants’ rights will be enshrined in law.

“Much has been said of the Government’s fiscal projections and tax forecasts. The Scottish Fiscal Commission Bill will put the Commission on a statutory basis, embedding and strengthening its role in independently scrutinising these projections and forecasts.

“We will use the powers in the forthcoming Scotland Bill to ensure that the negative effects of Universal Credit and the ‘bedroom tax’ are minimised as much as possible, while at the same promoting business through extending our Enterprise Areas, reducing Air Passenger Duty, creating a £40 million holding fund for small-and-medium enterprises, and implementing the SCALE initiative to support entrepreneurs.

“The steps we are taking in Education, including developing and implementing the National Improvement Framework and the introduction of standardised testing to inform teacher judgement, will give us objective feedback that we will use to reduce the attainment gap.

“These, and the many more steps outlined in the Programme, will underpin our vision of a fairer, 

more just Scotland and I’m excited to be a part of it.”