NICK HARVEY JOINS CAMPAIGN FOR LOCAL PRODUCE
July 24, 2006 2:18 PM
Nick Harvey MP has today signed a Parliamentary motion in support of the Farmers Weekly 'local food is miles better' campaign. 149 MPs have also added their names to the motion which calls for supermarkets to support local farmers by stocking and effectively labelling locally produced food.
Nick Harvey, who has long since campaigned for food to be produced and sold locally as a means of avoiding unnecessary food miles said:
"For many years now supermarkets have been proudly presenting products such as mange tout and sweet potatoes throughout the year providing the consumer with more choice than ever before. I am not criticising this practice but am keen to highlight how many wonderful products we grow in Devon which are not always recognised by our local supermarkets and shops.
"The impact of food miles on the environment and local economy is huge, we must also consider the effect that our constant demand for fresh produce regardless of seasonality is having on developing countries; large sections of the rainforest have now been abolished in place of land for farming in order to meet the demands of western consumers.
"I want to encourage local markets and shops to source local food but more significantly we must all use our purchasing power to send a message to the supermarkets that we won't purchase products which have been transported thousands of miles for our privilege."
The Farmers Weekly campaign focuses on seven main problems caused by food miles: environmental impact; lack of freshness; lack of food security; loss of principle of seasonality; lower production and welfare standards; high transport costs; and the impact on the developing world.
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Full text of the Early Day Motion is as follows:
EDM 2256 LOCAL FOOD IS MILES BETTER CAMPAIGN
That this House supports Farmer's Weekly's Local Food is Miles Better campaign; believes that buying locally grown food is an excellent way for consumers to reconnect with farmers and develop a better understanding of where their food comes from; recognises that producing and buying food locally can help the environment, boost the economy, and support British farming; and calls for supermarkets to promote, stock and label locally produced food to cut food miles and support local producers.
2. For more information about the Farmers' Weekly campaign see: http://www.fwi.co.uk/gr/foodmiles/index.html
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