NFU Cymru appalled at Authority’s food stance

NFU Cymru is deeply concerned at Ceredigion County Council's decision to provide frozen foods to those who receive services from the Social Services Department.

NFU Cymru's County Chairman for Ceredigion, Richard Tudor said, "Clearly, as farmers in one of Wales' most rural local authority areas we have a vested interest in this issue and we are appalled that Ceredigion County Council is prepared to 'export' our food production industry, upon which so many farming families in Ceredigion depend.

"This will exacerbate the problems which local producers have to contend with, and makes a mockery of the Authority's commitment to food development enterprises for which primary production will be needed."

NFU Cymru is particularly disappointed in the Council's decision as it goes against the Welsh Assembly Government and Welsh Local Government Association's commitment to procure local food.

Mr Tudor added, "The Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Local Government Association are committed to the principle of public procurement of local food and significant strides are being made, for example in getting Welsh beef into NHS trust hospitals. It is therefore particularly galling to see that Ceredigion County Council intends to use a contractor who is committed to imported food from across the world and to inferior standards to those exercised by farmers in Ceredigion.

"Surely the farming community in Ceredigion, the ancillary industries and just as importantly the vulnerable and elderly, who call on Ceredigion Social Services Department, deserve to be supported and provided with the best quality food we can offer.

"I have written to the Council's Chief Executive to express our concerns and I sincerely hope that the decision not to provide food of local provenance can be reviewed."