Tories congratulate FW on food miles campaign
Welsh Conservatives say Farmers Weekly is to be congratulated for highlighting the huge level of support among consumers for tackling the issue of food miles.
Launching a petition to the British Retail Consortium, Brynle Williams, the party’s Welsh Assembly spokesman on rural affairs, claimed that over 80% of customers would be more likely to buy locally-produced food in supermarkets if it was clearly labelled.
“I believe that Farmers Weekly’s campaign is worthwhile and deserves the support and endorsement of Welsh Conservatives,” said Mr Williams.
There should be increased opportunities for customers to buy local and organic food through both niche outlets and supermarkets, he added.
“Doing this will not only generate support for local produce and the farming industry, but will create greater sustainability in farming and reduce the amount of food miles, which has contributed to global climate change.”
Reasons for cutting food miles included less environmental harm, improved food freshness, better food safety and animal welfare, and less reliance on distant countries to supply vital commodities, he said.