NFU President backs buy local food and drink campaign

NFU President, Tim Bennett, has pledged the organisation and members' support to a Buy Local Food and Drink Campaign started by local newspaper, the Carmarthen Journal, in Carmarthenshire, South Wales.

In a letter to the weekly paper Mr Bennett said, "The issues raised are close to moves the NFU is making in promoting quality food, produced locally. Encouraging people to buy fresh local produce not only supports local businesses and communities but can help to promote the environment."

Mr Bennett added, "Local campaigns throughout Wales such as this one can help the environment by reducing the packaging used in food retailing and cutting down on the miles that the food has to travel to get to its point of sale."

NFU Cymru's County Chairman in Carmarthenshire, Peter Francis and Vice Chairman, Hugh Richards, will meet with the Carmarthen Journal's Editor next week to pledge their support to the campaign and find out how best NFU Cymru can assist in highlighting the campaign in the County and throughout Wales.

NFU Cymru is also hosting a conference on locally sourced food for school meals at its flagship headquarters on the Royal Welsh Showground, Builth Wells later this month. Builth Wells High School is arranging the Conference for local schools to discuss best practice in sourcing local produce for school meals.

Peredur Hughes, President of NFU Cymru said, "The issue of buying local fresh produce is very much in the limelight at the moment and Welsh farmers should strike while the iron is hot and use this limelight to promote the fantastic produce we have on offer here in Wales. NFU Cymru will continue to do all it can, working in partnership with other organisations, to help keep local fresh produce in the limelight."