'Buy British' policy appeal by Shropshire MP Owen Paterson
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson has called for the Government to adopt a "Buy British" policy to support local farmers following the vote to leave the EU.
The former environment secretary said such a policy could be worth to £2.4 billion to British agriculture.
Mr Paterson made the call in a briefing paper on agriculture which he has presented to the Government. In three papers on farming, fishing and the environment Mr Paterson outlined a series of policies which he said would secure the maximum benefit for Brexit Britain.
He also called for UK food production to be increased to reduce dependency on exports.
"One of our key priorities must be to direct public procurement, worth £2.4 billion, by hospitals, schools, defence and prisons, towards UK producers in a manner that is World Trade Organisation compliant," he said.
Mr Paterson added that public organisations responsible for such purchases must adopt a balanced set of criteria which considered not only cost but also efficiency in use of resources and the way suppliers managed waste.
"This would include, but not be limited to a government buying standard, to ensure a baseline of nutritious, healthy and sustainable produce."
He said farming subsidies should initially be maintained at their present levels, but added that there may be scope to increase them in targeted areas.
Mr Paterson said the subsidies needed to be aimed at the UK's agricultural industry, landscape and environment.
"Given that UK contributions to the Common Agricultural Policy have been more than three times what we have received, the Government should be well placed, where appropriate, to increase rural payments."
Mr Paterson said farmers should be rewarded where they play a role in conservation and improving the environment, particularly in areas where food production was unprofitable.
"Such areas include mountainous regions and national parks, and government payments should reward farmers and landowners for the work they do in preserving and improving these most precious environments."
He called for a national seasonal workers scheme to attract skilled farm labourers from across the world. He also said that, as an interim measure, all EU farming regulation should be incorporated into national law to prevent disruption and allow adequate time for negotiations.
Mr Paterson said there was also a need to tackle the illegal import of meats which have increased the risk of illness.
"We need to implement border controls aimed at halting the illegal import of meat products, such as bush meat, linked to increased risks of ebola and bubonic plague," he said.
