Peter Fox, the Welsh Conservative MS for Monmouthshire, has launched the consultation for his Food (Wales) Bill at the Royal Welsh Show.
The objectives of the proposed bill are:
- Introducing ‘Food Goals’: including a ‘primary food goal’ to put in place an overarching duty for the provision of affordable, healthy, and economically and environmentally sustainable food; supplemented by ‘secondary food goals’ in specific areas.
- Establishing a Welsh Food Commission: including powers to monitor and report on progress towards Government commitments, as well as statutory commitments, and to oversee the delivery of the Food Goals and food plans.
- National Food Strategies and Local Food Plans: to require public bodies to have regard to existing policy and legislative commitments – including the Future Generations Act, as well as international agreements such as the UN Development Goals – when designing food policy.
- Tackling food waste: reducing the food waste created by food producers and consumers is set out as one of the secondary food goals.
The Bill has already received support from the Countryside Alliance and the consultation can be found here.
Commenting on the news, Peter Fox MS said:
“Recent events in Ukraine have demonstrated the importance of enhancing food security across the United Kingdom in order to ensure food remains accessible and affordable. I am therefore proud to launch the consultation for my Food Bill which will enhance and improve levels of food security across Wales. I hope everyone has the opportunity to respond and have their say.
“This Bill, which has had cross party support, is a welcome reminder of the good that can be achieved when party politics is put aside.
“I look forward to seeing this bill progress in the Senedd and look forward to working with my colleagues across the chamber.”
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