Shropshire farmers back call for more local food
Farmers in Shropshire have backed Government calls for schools and hospitals to buy more locally produced food.
The call was made to council leaders by environment secretary and north Shropshire MP Owen Paterson.
He said the move would boost the rural economy by supporting British farmers and reduce food miles without increasing costs.
Mr Paterson said it would particularly help rural areas like Shropshire and his call was echoed today by county farmers.
Mr Paterson's comments came in a speech yesterday to the Local Government Association's rural conference.
The MP said food, farming and agri-food is the UK's largest manufacturing sector, contributing £95bn, nearly seven per cent, to the UK economy in 2011, and employing 3.6 million people.
Mr Paterson said: "As well as promoting exports, we need to make a significant dent in the 22 per cent of food that's imported but could be produced here.
"We're now looking at how we can work together with the industry to make it easier for businesses to grow in the UK market.
"Businesses alone won't make a big enough impact, we in Government need to play our part.
"The Government has set public procurement standards for food through the Government Buying Standard.
"I believe local government has a huge part to play in supporting, and benefitting from, this agenda.
Shropshire NFU spokesman Oliver Cartwright said: "Shropshire Council is very good in its support of healthy, tasty, county produced food. We want to see more British produce on more British plates."
