NEWS
Defra
launches new three-year strategy
Defra's Strategy 2003-2006 lists key priorities for the next three
years. They include:
promoting sustainable management and prudent use of natural resources
domestically and internationally;
improving productivity in the least well performing rural areas
and increasing accessibility of services for rural people;
- cutting pollution and promoting a low-carbon economy;
- promoting a sustainable farming and food industry;
- reducing risk of animal diseases and ensuring high standards
of animal welfare;
- cutting waste and increasing recycling.
Specific top local food the report confirms Defra's commitment
to:
- encourage best practice, waste reduction,
- improved information flow and co-operation between farmers and
between different parts of the food chain
- strengthen support for quality regional food (but nothing on
local food)
work with the Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency
to promote better links between food and health,
Independent
research supports Defra's 'green' farming schemes
Independent research shows that arable habitat options available
under Defra's new agri-environment Entry Level pilot scheme and
the existing Countryside Stewardship Scheme can demonstrably increase
wildlife on farmland.
Value
of government spending could double by buying local
Communities, business and government can increase, even double,
the amount of money flowing into and being retained in the local
economy of disadvantaged urban and rural areas by fostering links
in the local business supply chain. This is a vital strategy in
regenerating such areas and improving the quality of life for
people living there, according to the latest workbook published
by the New Economics Foundation (NEF) and Countryside Agency,
“The Money Trail,”.
Allotments
Regeneration Initiative
Launched on 2 April, this partnership project will provide £500,000
to promote allotments regeneration.
Asda
backs British farmers
Asda has this week launched a 'Buy British' campaign under the
banner of 'Good, Honest Value - Celebrating Home-grown produce'.
A key aim is to increase sales for its farmer suppliers and educate
customers about where their food comes from.
The Food Chain Centre has launched a benchmarking
starter pack for farmers - the first of four key projects
designed to drive efficiency in the food chain through more effective
flow of information. "Benchmarking is simply the exchange
of information in order to identify standards and help farmers
measure themselves against the competition both at home and overseas"
The Grocer, 5th April
GM
Free Food Could Become "Impossible"
A report to Government from GM advisors the Agriculture and Environment
Biotechnology Commission (AEBC), obtained by Friends of the Earth,
reveals that if GM crops are commercially grown in the UK an internal
report it would be difficult and in some places impossible to
guarantee that any UK food is GM-free.
Next
steps for Better Hospital Food programme announced
Details of the next stage in the programme to improve hospital
food were announced by Health Minister, David Lammy. This will
concentrate more on service aspects, including looking to improve
the environment in which food is served and eaten. Key themes
will include, the way the NHS buys its food, the need for patients
to be able to take their meals in a peaceful environment, the
quality and availability of drinks at ward level, and extending
the number of dishes designed by the team of chefs to over 200.
source: Sustain
DEFRA
guidance for purchasers in central government departments
Defra has produced new guidance for purchasers in central government
departments and agencies. The objective is intended to encourage
public sector to procure food in a manner that promotes sustainable
development and does not discriminate against local and UK suppliers.
Public
procurement by Internet
Proposals being developed for an eco-labelling Internet information
service, targeted initially on public procurement
Following ACCPE's recommendations, some more novel approaches
to information for purchasers is a new Internet information service,
perhaps targeted initially on public procurement, proposals for
this are being developed.
source: Sustain
Farmers
will 'soon not grow food'
Countryside Agency chairman Ewen Cameron said that food production
could become a thing of the past in some areas.
"In many parts of England, food production could become a
thing of the past,” he said. "I suspect that in 10 or
20 years time people, and particularly politicians and policy
makers, will no longer equate the countryside with farming for
food."
Farmers
invite the ignorant townies back to the land
Ignorance about food and farming has led to a £250,000 campaign
to reconnect “townies” with the countryside. Every household
in the country is to receive a leaflet with key facts about food,
farming, looking after the land and wildlife. The initiative,
funded by donations from individual farmers and supported by a
string of rural organisations representing farmers, landowners,
suppliers and food companies, is an attempt by the food industry
to improve the image of agriculture.
A Food & Drink
Information Centre has been launched, funded by Advantage
West Midlands and delivered by Business Link Herefordshire &
Worcestershire. The centre aims to be the single access point
and one-stop-shop facility for enquiries received from the West
Midlands Region.
KamlaC@hwchamber.co.uk
PUBLICATIONS / WEBSITES
Going
Local –A snapshot of the local food sector
The Food Standards Agency has taken a leading role in cross-departmental
work to investigate what is happening in the local food sector
across England. Their report offers an excellent summary of current
status and issues for the sector.
West
Midlands Local Food Activity Report
A summary of activity in the region. To be follwed later this
year by f3's report on evaluating the impacts of local food initiatives
on health and social regneration.
Local
Food Initiatives in the South West of England: Capturing
the environmental dimension?
This new report by the RSPB and Bird Life International is the
result of a study which aims to explore how, and in what ways
if any, the environment was captured in the ethos and working
practices of local food initiatives in the South West of England.
source: Sustain
Eco-Lots
Eco-Lots is a free service designed to help the rural economy
by assisting with the environmentally sensitive and sustainable
management of land, trees and wildlife in the UK.
It seeks to do this by providing a free online advertising medium
for sales, wants and events covering a wide range of rural products
and services.
FLAIR
report 2003
The 2003 FLAIR Report is now available to view on this site. It
summarises the findings of extensive research with enterprises
in several locations in the UK, indicating trends and changes
in the sector.
EVENTS
A New Town Fair,
16 May London
A New Economics Foundation - hear French farmer and anti-globalisation
activist Jose Bove, Italian slow food advocate Carlo Petrini and
a whole load of 3 minute pitches from organisations such as Time
Banks, Plugging the Leaks, CAMRA, Soil Association, Charter 88.
More details from Molly Conisbee on 020 7089 2855 or molly.conisbee@neweconomics.org
Composting - Practical
and Operational Lessons, 28th May
Cleanaway’s Composting Facility, Pitsea, Basildon, Essex
Course for anyone interested in composting. Particularly landfill
site managers/operators and site operatives, local authority employees
(waste managers, recycling officers etc.). The course includes
a site visit to an operating composting facility.
Contact: Victoria Woods, Eco-organics Project Manager, Tel: 01708
632 204, Email: vickywoods@cleanaway.com
Food for a Better
Leicestershire , 25 June
A workshop to explore opportunities for sustainable food procurement
and catering in Leicestershire’s schools and hospitals. A
one day event organised by Sustain and Leicestershire Food Links.
Contact; James Petts on 020 7837 1228
Hampshire Food on
Public Plates conference -Examining
the issues and opportunities for sustainable food procurement,
Hants, 3 July
Contact: Frances Stokes, Hampshire County Council, frances.stokes@hants.gov.uk
Local Government,
Local Food conference, Wolvehampton, 9 July 2003
An event to examine the opportunities for local producers to supply
public organisations in the West Midlands. Participation in this
conference is by invitation only. For further information please
contact Karen Leach, Localise west Midlands, on 0121 685 1155
or info@localisewestmidlands.org.uk
Rural Business Conference
The Government is to hold its first rural
business support conference in June 2003 in a bid to improve the
services offered to small rural business in the UK.
The event will be held on 9 and 10 June in Lancashire. The conference
will bring together support services with the aim to foster closer
co-operation between them and assistance to small rural business
by addressing the key issues surrounding the confused way in which
help is offered.
Further details on the conference contact:
Victoria Chapman Tel: 0114 259 7664 victoira.chapman@sbs.gsi.gov.uk
Organic
Food Festival 2003
6 and 7 September Bristol – various locations
JOBS
New Economics Foundation
Local Alchemy project
Training Manager £26,124-£29,529 pa
2 yr contract, London based.
You will have experience of developing and delivering training
programmes at community level, as well as a wide knowledge of
stakeholder participation processes and a sound understanding
of local economic development.
Closing date for applications: 12 May 2003
Interviews will be held week beginning 19 May
For further details and application forms (no CVs) please write
to: Sue Carter, NEF, 6-8 Cole Street, London SE1 4YH or e-mail
sue.carter@neweconomics.org
Job adverts cost £50 for each newsletter (circulation
over 900).
Please send copy to:news@locafood.org.uk
