Action plan comes into force to support food industry

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has supported the Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to local produce by launching a Local Sourcing Action Plan – Food and Drink for Wales.

The plan seeks to assist Welsh food and drink companies in their efforts to access local markets and also aims to make it easier for consumers to buy food and drink produced in Wales.

This should help to improve business, safeguard and create additional jobs, and encourage healthy eating. It should also help Wales to maintain high standards in food safety, develop local food cultures and reduce "food miles".

The plan sets out actions to achieve these goals. These include supporting the development of farmers markets and the development of the production and processing sectors, encouraging producers to diversify to meet local demand, developing community food projects and Food Hubs, encouraging all sectors to source more local food and drink and ensuring high levels of food safety and hygiene.

 Jones said: "Local sourcing of food and drink is one of the priorities of the Welsh Assembly Government, as set out in One Wales.

"There are so many benefits to buying local. Not only do we have a range of high quality local produce, but consumers can also trace where their food comes from and seek reassurance on production methods and animal welfare.

"Buying local also reduces the miles food travels and helps us to reduce carbon emissions in line with our commitments on climate change. Another benefit is that it leads to money being reinvested into our communities, something which is vitally important in the current economic climate."

The plan complements the Assembly Government's work to improve the quality and nutritional value of food available in schools through Appetite for Life and that available within Welsh hospitals. It also complements the strategic plan to improve diets in Wales, known as Quality of Food for all in Wales, as well as policy aims relating to economic development, community regeneration and environment and social sustainability.

Words: Maria Bracken

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