Defra fails on pledge to buy British food to help farmers

It was reported on 24th February that the Government has missed a key target to help British farmers by buying more home-grown food.

After the election, the Tory led Government said that by the end of January every Whitehall department would be buying food produced to tougher British welfare standards.

But officials at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) admit they have failed to do so, blaming the cost of breaking contracts mid-term.

Instead, departments were issued with guidance last month on how to go about buying British-quality food which will be included in new Government “buying standards” due to be introduced next month.

The failure to hit the target is embarrassing for the Tories who had made the issue a priority in opposition.

Shadow Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Mary Creagh, the MP for Wakefield, said: “It is disappointing that Defra, which is supposed to lead the way on British food has missed its target to source food to British production standards."

Read more in the Yorkshire Post: www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/country-view/environment/ministers_fail_to_deliver_pledge_on_buying_british_to_assist_farmers_1_3111711