Food Supply: Sustainability

Lord Howarth of Newport Excerpts

Monday 14th September 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, this is a very serious issue, and the Government have been working successfully with industry under the Courtauld commitment to reduce food and packaging waste in the supply chain. It has been reduced by 7.4% since 2010, and clearly this is a continuing process. The amount of food we all waste is disgraceful.

[Lord Howarth of Newport (Lab)]

My Lords—

[Lord Grantchester (Lab)]

I declare my interest as a farmer receiving EU funds. Sustainability could well be enhanced through local procurement along shorter supply chains. Does the Minister agree that this could increase the supply of fresh, healthy food, reduce farming’s carbon footprint, support UK agriculture and more closely connect the consumer to the producer? If this is the case, what are Her Majesty’s Government doing to enhance the supply of local food?

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, this very much goes to the heart of public procurement. Only last Monday, the Secretary of State announced that Defra is reviewing buying habits across the public sector and working across Whitehall to improve transparency when government catering contracts are due for renewal. Following the launch of Dr Peter Bonfield’s plan for public procurement, there is much more to be done on this.

[Lord Howarth of Newport]

My Lords—

[Lord Elton (Con)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Gardiner of Kimble]

My Lords, I know that my ministerial colleagues are working with the RPA on this. We are seeking to ensure that all payments are made promptly and we are working to that effect.

[Lord Howarth of Newport]

My Lords—

[Lord Hannay of Chiswick]

My Lords—