Huw Irranca-Davies MP, Shadow Minister for Rural Economy, Food and Farming, responding to reports of planned changes to public sector food procurement rules said:

“It is right that public bodies should be able to prioritise local sourcing of food alongside price, but the Government must explain why they have failed to make this change for nearly four years and are only now promising an announcement later this year. Sourcing food locally is good for jobs, good for the economy, and good for consumers who then know that their food is produced in Britain to the highest standards of quality, animal welfare and traceability.

“While other European countries have managed to find ways to support their local food producers, Ministers have tried to hide behind the bogey-man of European trade rules to justify their inaction. It’s time they followed the example of the Labour Government in Wales which has demonstrated that it is entirely possible to support local food producers and food networks without falling foul of European Union procurement rules.”