NDM7495 - Opposition Debate
Tabled on 25/11/2020 | For debate on 02/12/2020To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes the importance of the food sector to a broad range of policy agendas in Wales, including the environment, health, economy and poverty.
2. Regrets the lack of alignment to provide a coherent national food policy within Welsh Government food strategies and action plans over the past decade.
3. Recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of our current food system.
4. Praises the role that Welsh farmers and producers play in keeping our shelves stocked.
5. Understands that the climate, nature and biodiversity crises increases the likelihood of extreme weather events which will heavily impact the global food system.
6. Notes that 14 per cent of UK families with children have experienced food insecurity between March and August 2020, and that the Trussell Trust gave out 70,393 emergency food parcels in Wales between April and September 2020.
7. Calls on the Welsh Government to:
a) move towards a more coherent approach to food policy in Wales by bringing together a cross-sector food system commission to be tasked with developing a roadmap to deliver a food system fit for future generations;
b) ensure food systems are more resilient to external factors in the long-term, such as the climate crisis;
c) develop local processing capacity across Wales;
d) increase procurement of Welsh food and drink amongst public services.
Tabled By
Amendments
Add as new sub-points at end of point 7:
introduce a local food and drink charter to encourage shops, cafés, and restaurants to sell locally sourced Welsh food and drink and help promote the scheme to consumers;
develop a tourism strategy to promote food and drink trails and experiences across Wales;
work with the Her Majesty’s Government to promote Welsh food and drink overseas.
Tabled By
Delete all and replace with:
To propose that the Senedd:
1. Notes that access to food and protection of the environment is achieved by raising skills, raising incomes and enabling collaborative action on the ground between communities, businesses and public bodies.
2. Welcomes the report by the Sustainable Places Research Institute at Cardiff University and agrees that new food infrastructure and delivery mechanisms should be guided by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the five ways of working.
3. Calls on Welsh Government:
a) to bring together farmers, food businesses, public bodies and civil society to work towards a shared vision for a food system fit for future generations;
b) to replace the system of basic payment farm subsidy based on land-area farmed to a system where all public money supports the delivery of environmental outcomes alongside high quality food;
c) to promote fair work and innovation in the food sector in Wales to help create more well-paid jobs in the foundational economy;
d) to support community food growing and food re-use projects in every community in Wales.
