To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen local sustainable food supply chains.
Answered on
29 June 2021
As a Government, we have a manifesto commitment to get people both at home and abroad lining up to buy British. We will always champion our farmers and producers, supporting them to grow more of our great British food, and to provide a reliable and sustainable food supply to the British public.
By showcasing the UK’s excellent food and drink, we will encourage consumers to explore more of our regional products, including our iconic geographical indications (GIs), such as Vale of Evesham Asparagus.
We will be consulting on a refreshed version of the Government Buying Standards for Food this summer. We will be seeking views on how the standards can promote even greater uptake of local, sustainably produced food by public procurers and their suppliers. We are also working closely with the Crown Commercial Service to develop a trial in the South West region which will create new and exciting routes into public sector food procurement for high quality, sustainable and locally sourced food and drink.
Sustainability and achieving the net zero target are priorities for Government. We are therefore developing a range of measures which will enable farmers to optimise sustainable food production, reduce emissions from agriculture, and allow consumer choices to drive those changes. These measures include the Agriculture Act, our future farming policy, our forthcoming Food Strategy White Paper and the 25 Year Environment Plan.