AN SNP MSP has raised concerns that Marks and Spencer is importing stock from abroad instead of looking to the “world-class” suppliers in Scotland.
Jim Fairlie, the founder of Scotland’s first farmers’ market and who was elected to Holyrood in 2021, raised the issue with the supermarket chain after seeing that Scottish raspberries were not on offer.
Instead, the MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire said the Marks and Spencer in his nearest city had been stocking fruit from Portugal and south England.
He wrote on Twitter: “@marksandspencer Extremely disappointed in this, still no Scottish rasps on your shelves in Perth (world class right on your doorstep) despite a bumper crop, and you’re bringing up from England and shipping from Portugal??”
@marksandspencer Extremely disappointed in this, still no Scottish rasps on your shelves in Perth( world class right on your doorstep) despite a bumper crop, and you’re bringing up from England and shipping from Portugal?? Where is your commitment to our Scottish growers? 🏴 pic.twitter.com/HkkcmR5A4o
— Jim Fairlie MSP (@JimFairlieLogie) July 6, 2023
“Where is your commitment to our Scottish growers?” he added.
Blairgowrie, in Perthshire, is known for its berry crops. The raspberries pictured in the MSP’s post had been grown in Kent and Portugal.
Marks and Spencers said that raspberries from Scottish producers would be harvested and available soon.
Fairlie also shared a comment from another Twitter user who said that “credit where credit's due”, other supermarkets had been stocking Scottish produce.
Fiona Carmichael wrote: “Got a nice surprise in @Tesco today. Rasps, strawbs both and free-range eggs, all from Scotland, all with Saltires. Credit where credit's due.
“@sainsburys @Morrisons over to you,” she added.
In January, a poll conducted for The National found that 71% of Scots said they preferred to see a Saltire on Scottish produce, rather than a Union flag.
At the time, the founder of Keep Scotland the Brand Ruth Watson wrote: “Many in the business of selling Scottish produce know it is not a question of flags on food, but market share based on Scotland’s name, with its deserved reputation for high standards.”
A Marks and Spencer spokesperson said: “We work with many Scottish farms – sourcing raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and cherries.
"Our Scottish raspberries will start being harvested this month – and will be available in all 94 Scottish stores this summer.”
