According to a statement given by Labour today, traditional favorites such as the Scotch pie and the buttery have been put under threat by a recent Scottish Government funding decision.

The accusation follows a ruling by ministers that means training in the food sector will no longer be eligible for European cash.

With almost half of training costs currently met by the European Social Fund (ESF) programme, Labour finance spokesman Iain Gray said the industry was now facing a potential skills shortage.

He claimed that could lead to a lack of bakers able to produce traditional treats such as the pan loaf, plain loaf and bridie.

"The decision by the SNP government to exclude the entire food industry from obtaining training assistance is short-sighted and plain wrong."

In the last six years the bakery industry has been awarded £1.4 million of ESF funding to go alongside £1.6m provided by the sector.

Labour claim ESF training projects have safeguarded at least 3000 jobs and 50 companies, while between 700 and 800 training opportunities are currently available every year. That has now been placed in jeopardy by the government's decision, Mr Gray claimed.

He said: "For Scotland to perform in a competitive marketplace we need to support our food producers and it is essential that we produce the next wave of master bakers.

"Scotland can be very proud of its food production industry which employs thousands of people across the country.

"The pan loaf, the plain loaf, the buttery, bridie and mince pie could be threatened as the skills to bake them are not passed on."