Following the Welsh Government’s unveiling of their planned actions to support the Welsh food and drink industry recovery from the impact of Covid-19, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Shadow Minister for Climate Change, Energy, and Rural Affairs, is calling for stronger action to keep the #BuyLocalFood momentum going.
The Shadow Minister wants to see:
- A strong campaign in Wales to encourage all of us to buy local
- Development of a Local Food Charter
The Welsh Government’s priority areas include monitoring market intelligence; providing business advice; and maintaining a global trade presence via virtual engagement. Commenting on the Welsh Government’s priorities, Janet said:
“Covid-19 has highlighted serious weaknesses in the supply food system. For example, whilst some dairy farmers were pouring milk down the drain, we had many empty supermarket shelves, even in the dairy section. However, the pandemic has started a brilliant buy local food momentum.
“Instead of travelling to big supermarkets, many residents across Wales have turned to their local village/farm shops, butchers, and made use of delivery services offered by stores selling a rainbow of local produce.
“There is no better way to support farmers and Welsh produce than us, the people of Wales, buying Welsh.
“I know that the Welsh Government is looking at virtual engagement as a means of maintaining a global trade presence, but I am calling for a strong campaign here in Wales to encourage all of us to keep buying local.
“I would also like to see the development of a Local Food Charter which all shops, cafés, and restaurants selling food local to the area could sign up to, helping consumers know which businesses are supporting local or Welsh food producers”.
ENDS
Notes:
- Actions to support Welsh food and drink industry recovery from impact of Covid19 published
- Written Statement: Support for the food & drink industry to recover from the impacts of Covid-19
Photo:
- Janet Finch-Saunders MS outside Edwards of Conwy
