Plaid MEP Jill Evans has welcomed a vote in the European Parliament backing her proposal to give preference to locally produced food products. The parliament is reviewing an EU scheme to provide food support worth over 400 million pounds this year alone.

Ms Evans hopes the change will be made permanent and will be a boost to farmers, and local food producers.

The EU food distribution scheme is part of the Common Agricultural Policy. The European Commission wants the subsidised food to be purchased on the open market, but Ms Evans believes this would be a missed opportunity.

Speaking after her amendment was approved by the Regional Development Committee, Ms Evans said:

"Plaid is committed to promoting the use of quality, locally produced food and this European funding could provide an important boost. That's why I'm very pleased that my call to amend the scheme is being taken forward. Hopefully we'll be able to get the European Commission to change the scheme in favour of local produce. This food would be distributed by organisations to people who qualify.

"Locally produced food is fresher and often of a better quality than produce that's travelled a great distance.

"Wales has great potential to develop our local food production even further, and I'm hopeful that this reform in agricultural funding will be of help to us. Plaid Cymru is on the side of the farmers and consumers - all of whom will benefit."

Diwedd/Ends

NOTES:

Amendment by Jill Evans MEP to proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy and Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation) as regards food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Community, as follows:

Article 2 - point 1 ( = Art. 27, § 1 Council Regulation): Products in intervention stocks shall be made available or food products of Community origin shall be purchased on the market, with preference given to locally produced fresh food products, so that food products may be distributed to the most deprived persons in the Community through organisations designated by Member States.