MP: Buy locally produced food (From Witney Gazette)

MP: Buy locally produced food

3:07pm Thursday 4th January 2007 in Witney

WITNEY MP David Cameron has called for Oxfordshire shoppers to buy more locally produced food.

In a speech at Oxford University on Wednesday, the Conservative Party leader welcomed the rising popularity of locally-sourced produce, sold in farmers' markets and farm shops across the county.

He told the Oxford Farming Conference that the 'long-term interest' of British farming was best served by people buying home-grown, quality food and praised farmers' markets, including those held in Chipping Norton and Charlbury.

But Mr Cameron accused the Labour Government of failing to stand up for local producers with the same fervour as leaders of other European countries.

He called for clearer food labelling to help consumers identify where products come from - and which are foreign imports masquerading as British.

Mr Cameron said: "I'm convinced that the long-term interest of British farming is best served by British consumers demanding quality British produce.

"A vital part of facilitating this shift in priorities is ensuring that this country has far more rigorous and transparent food labelling.

"Today, British consumers can find it difficult to back British farmers, because of inadequate labelling.

"Food can be imported to Britain, processed here, and subsequently labelled in a way that suggests it's genuinely British. That is completely wrong.

"I cannot overstate the importance of enabling informed consumer choice.

"Effective marketing can only be achieved if labelling is accurate and clear.

"Britain is experiencing a rise in so-called food patriotism. Many people want to eat British wherever possible.

"They're not just supporting British farmers out of a sense of solidarity or a desire to limit carbon emissions.

"They also realise that food that has been preserved and flown or driven long distances often tastes second-rate."

Mr Cameron added: "Active consumerism is driving the increasing popularity of locally-sourced produce.

"In the 21st century, people are interested in general well-being. The food that they eat and feed to their families is part of that."

The MP committed a future Tory government to 'take a leaf out of the book of other European Union members, who have stood up more effectively for their local producers'.

Last October, Mr Cameron voiced fears that the Oxfordshire countryside could become a 'museum', as farmers were forced out of business by supermarket giants.

The Tory leader, speaking during his first party conference as leader, said he was worried farmers in his Witney constituency were under pressure from the bargaining powers of firms like Tesco.

He said at the time: "I want Britain to go on farming. I want the countryside to be a living, working countryside, and not a museum."

Environment Secretary David Miliband told the conference that farmers should expect all state subsidies to end by 2020.

Instead, cash will be available only if farmers help to protect the environment by adopting greener farming methods.