General election: call for new government to source more food from British farms
19th March 2024
The NFU is urging MPs to back the ‘Buy British Bill’ and asks the new government to supply the public sector with more food from British farms.
MP for Rotherham Sarah Champion put forward a private member’s bill – Public Procurement (British Goods and Services) – which had its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday 15th March.
The NFU has worked closely with Ms Champion to develop the legislation, which would amend two existing Acts of Parliament relating to requirements to be followed in public procurement. These include the need for a contracting authority to consider what proportion of the food originates from the UK.
Backing British business
During the Second Reading, MP Champion said that the Bill aims to back British businesses for public contracts, champion the UK’s world-class manufacturing and food production, as well as increase the visibility of British food procured by the public sector.
The MP added: “The government have long argued that the EU had rules preventing them from prioritising British businesses. Many saw Brexit as an opportunity for more taxpayers’ money to be spent with British suppliers.
“We were told that British businesses would be first in the queue for UK government contracts once we left the EU. The 2019 Conservative party manifesto even stated, with regard to food procurement: ‘When we leave the EU, we will be able to encourage the public sector to ‘Buy British’ to support our farmers and reduce environmental costs.’
“This has simply not happened. Now is high time for some of the benefits voters were promised from Brexit to come to pass. My Bill, if the government accept it, would deliver more contracts to British businesses.”
Sourcing food from British farms
NFU deputy president David Exwood said that the union’s research shows that 76% of the public wants the government to commit to sourcing at least half of all food for schools, prisons and hospitals from British farms.
He added: “However, despite the public procurement of food encompassing a spend of over £2.4 billion, disappointingly, there is currently no record of what proportion of this food is currently supplied by British farmers and growers.
“In our election manifesto, the NFU is calling on the next government to commit to sourcing 50% of food into the public sector from British farms, and the reporting of the origin of public sector sourced food which is essential to monitor progress towards this ambition.
“This would guarantee more British farmers and growers delivering high quality, fresh, seasonal and affordable food to world-leading environmental and welfare standards into our schools, prisons, hospitals and the military.
“We fully support Sarah Champion for introducing her Bill and encourage all Parliamentarians to support it and back British food and farming.”
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