In the wake of ever-growing concern about the distance which food travels before it lands on our tables, Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales’ Deputy Leader Jill Evans MEP will this week be at the Royal Welsh Show, trying to highlight the importance of buying good quality local food. (Monday 10.30 a.m. Stand D300 – Plaid Cymru).

Ms Evans, who represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament, said:

“Where better to highlight this issue than this great showcase for Welsh agriculture and rural enterprise? By working to change food culture we can make a positive contribution to sustainable growth in Welsh agriculture.

“This has become a political issue because of the fundamental effects which food has on all of our lives. We need to support local produce through raising awareness of just how far much of the food on supermarket shelves has travelled.

“As well as refusing GM food and supporting organic produce, people are increasingly questioning the wisdom of the sky-rocketing 'food miles'. For example, in 1998 the UK imported around 60,000 tonnes of poultry from the Netherlands, whilst in the same year exporting 33,000 tonnes of poultry to the same country! A year later, the EU exported some 160,000 tonnes of meat whilst importing around 800,000 tonnes.

“So much of this food could be locally purchased - and imagine the boost this would give to local farmers and the food processing industry more generally.

“With obesity rates at an all time high - increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease - it is more important than ever that we eat a healthy diet. We need to increase political pressure on the food industry to act responsibly, for example in the way they advertise food.”

Ends.