Government failing to meet pledge on British food sourcing

A new investigation by the Countryside Alliance has found that UK government departments and councils are failing to prioritise British produce, despite a major pledge made by the Labour government before last year’s general election.

The report reveals widespread failure across the public sector to support British farmers through its food procurement policies.

See also: Can supplying the public sector work for farmers?

The findings are based on more than 200 Freedom of Information requests sent to central government departments, local authorities and the British Armed Forces.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance, posted on X: “Just before the election, Labour pledged that at least 50% of all food in the public sector would be British, to help our farmers.

“Our investigation reveals little if anything has been done to implement that promise, even by Defra – a missed opportunity and hugely disappointing.”

The Labour government committed to ensuring that 50% of food purchased in the public sector is either locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards.

However, the report suggests that “only one out of 19 central government departments reported having a policy of deliberately procuring British food,” while “just one other was able to confirm the proportion of food it had sourced from the UK”.

Sourcing

The Department of Health and Social Care reported sourcing 72% of its food from the UK in 2023-24, but the Ministry of Defence admitted it held no data on the origin of meat served to service personnel.

Across local authorities, just 12% of the 215 councils contacted were able to confirm how much of their food was produced in the UK.

In response, a government spokesman said: “Our commitment to farmers and food producers remains steadfast – which is why we want our farmers to be well placed to bid for a fair share of the £5bn a year spent on public-sector catering contracts. 

“Our new National Procurement Policy Statement and the Procurement Act simplifies the procurement process, removing bureaucratic rules and regulations, opening up new opportunities to small businesses, and creating good local jobs. 

“Government is consulting on reforms to go further to strengthen the UK’s economic resilience and support British businesses.”

‘New requirements’

The government also noted that the new requirements it has brought in for government catering contracts will “favour high quality products” which, it believes, British producers operating to high standards will be well placed to supply.

The Countryside Alliance is calling for stronger government buying standards and transparent, traceable procurement strategies across all public bodies.

It is also urging ministers to replicate Scottish and Welsh models in England.

Councils including Suffolk, Cornwall and Rutland have already passed pro-farming local food motions.

The Alliance encourages others to follow suit, recognising the environmental, economic and cultural benefits of shorter, more sustainable supply chains.