Welsh Lib Dems call for Welsh Kite Mark for products produced, processed and packaged in Wales (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Welsh Lib Dems call for Welsh Kite Mark for products produced, processed and packaged in Wales

May 13, 2009 12:00 AM

Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Welsh Government to develop a Welsh Kite Mark for products produced, processed and packaged in Wales to encourage local food procurement and ensure that people are fully aware of the origin of food that they are buying.

Commenting in the Chamber Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates stated:

"Local production is key to preserving quality produce and we must ensure that as much of our produce as possible is produced locally. We must do more to develop markets close to home, so that more money stays in our local communities and we can maximise self-sufficiency.

"Country of origin food labelling and a Welsh kite mark for products produced, processed and packaged in Wales would bring benefits for our economy by encouraging local food sourcing which supports more efficient production and enhances incomes. It would bring benefits for our environment by conserving natural resources and reducing food miles and also for our society as a whole, improving health, raising animal welfare standards and strengthening rural communities.

"Food transport is responsible for 25% of HGV travel on our roads and supermarkets have national distribution systems so even food produced near a local branch may have to be transported across the country to a central depot and then back to its place of origin. All these journeys around Britain mean that HGVs transporting food transport are responsible for a quarter of CO2 emissions.

"The public have right to know the origin of the food they are buying, with particular importance being placed on the correct and proper labelling of meat products. If people want to buy British or Welsh food, we want them to be able to go into a shop and easily find those products.

"We must work in coordination with the Food Standards Agency and the food industry to develop effective "signposting" which would give consumers information about the source of their product from a quick glance at the packaging. We could encourage supermarkets to offer reward points on products displaying a UK or Welsh country of origin flag.

"We are blessed by the fact that our farmers are some of the most entrepreneurial in the world, producing food of outstanding quality to the highest environmental and animal welfare standards. A Welsh Kite Mark for products produced, processed and packaged in Wales would ensure that we recognise the excellent work of Welsh farmers, support our local food markets and ensure that Welsh producers receive a fair payment for their hard work."

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