Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who recently (04/02/15) used a Rural Affairs Climate Change and Environment Committee (RACCE) to propose to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, food and the Environment, that dairy breaks for primary school kids should be introduced in Scotland, has since written (letter enclosed) to the big supermarket retailers to ask for a financial contribution to the proposal, and has also contacted the Minister for Public Health, Maureen Watt, asking for her support.

Commenting Mr Thompson said, “I spoke with the Cabinet Secretary earlier in the month about introducing dairy breaks for primary school kids and he seemed receptive to the proposal and I have very recently contacted the Minister for Public Health, Maureen Watt, asking for her support”.

Dave went on, “I have also sent letters to the big supermarket retailers asking if this is an idea that they would consider contributing towards and I look forward to hearing their responses”.

Notes:

Dave’s Exchange with the Cabinet Secretary at the RACCE Committee Contained below:

Dave Thompson: Many schools and so on have breakfast clubs, because some children come to school without breakfast and it is not good for their ability to learn if they come to school with an empty stomach. Could we look at providing a mid-morning flavoured milk or yoghurt break for kids, which would help them and give them more nutrition at that time?

I remember well when I was at school—a long time ago—that we had daily milk. Sometimes it was good, sometimes it was not so good and sometimes it was better. We could make the milk attractive. As I said, it could be flavoured, or we could have yoghurt and so on. I am sure that that would help children physically and mentally, and it would help the industry.

Richard Lochhead: But not bubble-gum flavoured milk. [Laughter.] I heard the comment from Asda’s representative that it was not very popular.

I would be keen to investigate anything that we can do to encourage our children to enjoy healthy dairy produce. As part of the plan that we intend to publish, we are actively looking at initiatives to publicise better the health benefits of dairy. That is more of a generic promotion in Scotland. There has been a belief for some time that we have not publicised the health benefits of dairy enough, so now is an opportune time to look at that.

As I mentioned earlier, we are refreshing Scotland’s food policy—becoming a good food nation. One reason why I am keen to refresh it is that I want children’s food policy to be at the heart of it. We will do a lot of work on a children’s food policy. Your comment is relevant to that, although I do not have a quick answer as to how easy it would be to do what you suggest in our schools—other ministers would have to be involved in the discussions. I assure you that the children’s food policy will be prominent in our new national food policy. There will be lots of scope for such debates.

Dave Thompson: If youngsters are introduced to good-quality foods, they are much more likely to enjoy such foods for the rest of their lives. The Government can have an input into that. I welcome your comments and look forward to hearing how you propose to take that forward.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28862.aspx?r=9763#.VNI7iNJSj3c

List of big retailers who were sent letters:

• · Tesco
• · Asda
• · Lidl
• · Sainsburys
• · Morrisons
• · Coop
• · Aldi

Copy of the letter (Lidl used as an example) enclosed below:

Mr Ronny Gottschlich

Managing Director

Lidl Stores

19 Worple Road

London

SW19 4JN

Our Ref: TBI

09 February 2015

Dear Mr Gottschlich

Dairy Breaks for Kids – Supermarket Contribution

The Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, is currently considering my proposal that dairy breaks for school kids should be introduced in Scotland - please see attached press release for further information.

I am writing to you, and all other large food retailers, to signal a potential marketing opportunity by taking part in this initiative either with finance or milk supply.

This proposal would boost the social responsibility profile of Lidl at a time when big business generally is suffering a crisis of public trust.

It is an initiative I am confident will win wider public support; and this is an opportunity for the Lidl to back the scheme at the earliest juncture and gain public plaudits as a result.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Dave Thompson

MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch (SNP)

PRESS RELEASE: Return the Milk to the Kids says MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, used a Rural Affairs Climate Change and Environment Committee (RACCE) meeting today (04/02/15) to propose to the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, food and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, that dairy breaks for school kids should be introduced in Scotland.

Commenting on this Mr Thompson said,

“I well remember milk breaks when I was in Primary School in the fifties and it is a real shame they were stopped.

A dairy break in the morning offering flavoured milk and yoghurts would ensure children were better nourished and improve their ability to learn.

An initiative such as this would boost the sales of milk and give young folk the chance to develop a taste for dairy products, such as milk and yoghurt, setting the tone for the eating and drinking habits they will take into their adult lives, and will help to enhance the health of the nation as a whole”.

Dave went on,

“The dairy industry has been going through a tough a time and deserves public support and I would also hope that major retailers would consider contributing to this as part of their social responsibility and will write to them accordingly.

Not only will children gain a fortified body and mind, the industry will also benefit from increased milk and yoghurt sales.

It really is a win, win, proposal, and one I am pleased the Cabinet Secretary has said he will seriously consider taking forward”.