HAPPY to issue a reminder that Independence Live’s main food sovereignty event next Saturday, August 21, is open for registration via their website.

Speakers for the online event which runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm include Jim Fairlie MSP, Keep Scotland the Brand campaign founder Ruth Watson, and Angus MacNeil MP.

The organisers say: “Most Scots are aware of the implications of the recent free trade deal with Australia, which is a likely precursor to other, possibly larger, more damaging Free Trade Agreements (FTA).

“According to the Scottish Government, there will be devastating impacts from a UK-Australia zero tariff and quota FTA on domestic producers.

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“There are also damaging environmental impacts and serious concerns around animal welfare, two issues of great concern to Scottish consumers.

“Trade deals conducted by Westminster raise fundamental questions for our democracy and our sovereignty.

“On top of reckless trade deals, the Internal Market Act restricts certain legislative powers of the devolved administrations. According to the Scottish Government, the Act is ‘radically undermining the powers and democratic accountability of the Scottish Parliament’.

“We are calling for everyone in Scotland to do more to protect and promote the importance of food sovereignty to Scotland’s health, the Scottish economy, and the security of our rural and coastal communities by taking part in Food Sovereignty Week.”