SOUTH Scotland MSP Colin Smyth has used a debate in the Scottish Parliament to raise a number of issues affecting the local food and drink sector.
These include the difficulty in recruiting skilled labour and the huge lack of housing in rural areas.
Speaking in the chamber, Mr Smyth said: “Our food and drink sector is a sector that reaches and benefits parts of Scotland that others cannot and do not reach.
“I see that week in and week out in my South Scotland region, as I visit local producers and processors, agricultural shows, country fairs, local farms, markets, fishing ports, hotels, and a distillery or brewery or two – or maybe three or four.
He added: “I know from engaging with businesses in that journey across my region that there is no shortage of issues being raised.
“A week rarely passes when I do not speak to a business that is struggling to recruit skilled workers.
“Our producers, our farmers, and our manufacturers need that steady pipeline of newly qualified, skilled workers. The Food and Drink Federation estimates that the sector needs nearly 35,000 new recruits by 2031 to fill skills gaps.
“Government agencies need to work more closely with schools, colleges, and universities to develop the right training programmes that align with industry needs, with more investment in apprenticeships and a renewed focus on food and drink careers.”
Moving on to some of the other issues facing the sector, Colin Smyth said: “Unless we address the chronic housing shortage, especially in rural areas, I will continue to meet businesses such as the ones that I met in Dumfries and Galloway that told me that, even when they find staff who want to take up posts, the appointments often fall through because there is no affordable housing nearby.”
