IMPACT OF LOCAL FOOD BUYING OUTLINED TO PUBLIC SECTOR IN WALES

Public Sector bodies in Wales have been reminded that they can have a positive impact on rural economies and communities by buying locally-produced food. The Sustainable Food Procurement in the Public Sector conference was told that all but one of the NHS Trusts in Wales already served Welsh beef – about 750,000 pounds worth of meat each year.The conference, organised by the Organic Centre Wales, looked at issues such as reducing food miles, ethical standards and reducing processing and waste. Citing the example of the NHS beef buying, Welsh Assembly Environment Minister Carwyn Jones told delegates, “The impact the public sector in Wales can have by buying more local produce is considerable.”

Schools in Wales had also signed an agreement to use more local meat.Mr. Jones said he wanted to increase the amount of local sourcing of food by public organisations. Buying locally, he said, reduced food miles and sustained rural economies. “There are only benefits in taking this approach. That is why I want to build on our success to date and increase the buying of local produce in the public sector,” he said. Such decisions could have an impact on climate change and reduce the amount of processing of food and the production of waste.

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RISKS OF ROAD MAINTENANCE BUDGET SHORTFALL HIGHLIGHTED

Local authorities say short-term financial decisions by the Government have increased the risk of long-term damage to the environment and the economy because of the pressure on budgets for road maintenance. The Local Government Association was responding to the latest annual report from the Asphalt Industry Alliance, which claimed the shortfall of funds for road repairs was now close to a billion pounds.

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This paper from the Local Government Association and the Improvement and Development Agency sets out initial views about the nature and purpose of a strategy for improving local government. It describes the priorities on which to focus for the next spending review period and the implications for delivery and resources. It raises a number of key issues where input from the local government sector is needed.The strategy needs to be devised against the background of the long-term challenges facing society, such as globalisation, demographic changes, changes in technology and climate change. It should address issues such as rising customer expectations for better-quality services, the tighter financial environment, and the increasing complexity of the challenges facing localities which demand a long-term, collaborative approach between local partners.

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