Cyflwynwyd yr ymateb hwn i’r ymgynghoriad ar y Bil Bwyd (Cymru) Drafft

This response was submitted to the consultation on the Draft Food (Wales) Bill

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Ymateb gan: | Response from: | Countryside Alliance Wales

Why is the Bill required

Question 1: Do you agree with the overarching principles that the Bill seeks to achieve?

Yes. We believe that this Bill sets out an achievable framework that would deliver on improving food security and will improve the socioeconomic well-being of the people of Wales.

Question 2: Do you think there is a need for this legislation? Can you provide reasons for your answer.

There is an absolute need for this legislation, particularly now when we are facing a food and energy crisis, as well as a Climate Change emergency. There needs to be a coherent approach to the production, processing, consumption, and disposal of food. The time is now and this Bill will be of significant importance.

The appalling developments in Ukraine have served as a sharp wake-up call for Wales, and the UK with regard to our sustainability when it comes to food and energy. The proposed framework has been developed at a timely moment however, the need for such a Bill was always there but not fully recognised.

Whilst there are many developments in the way that we produce, promote, prepare and consume produce, there is not one over-arching framework or strategy to pull these many strands together. There has been little accountability on how we handle the food supply chain after it has left the farm gate.

The plethora of mechanisms presented in this strategy via the Food Bill will undoubtedly provide a strong framework to deliver on the Bill’s principles and create a stronger, developed, and modernised way of handling food security issues in Wales.

Food Goals

Question 3: Please provide your views on the inclusion of the Food Goals within the Bill as the means to underpin the policy objectives.

We fully support the innovative inclusion of Food Goals to underpin the policy objectives. Not only do they fit perfectly alongside the seven well-being goals of the Future Generations (Wales) Act but provide a firm over-arching policy under which public bodies need to operate.

Question 4: Do you agree with the inclusion of a Primary Food Goal supplemented by Secondary Food Goals?

The overarching goal of providing affordable, healthy, and economically and environmentally sustainable food for the people of Wales is the key foundation of this Bill. Which is to be supported. Differentiating the Food Goals between being “Primary” and “Secondary” is a distraction and could cause the “Secondary” goals not to be taken as seriously and undermine the overarching goal.

We recognise what is trying to be achieved but feel the terminology should be reviewed to ensure that the “Secondary” goals set out in the draft Schedule have an equal footing as the “Primary” goals.

Question 5: Are there additional/different areas you think should be included in the Food Goals?

Yes.

“Education” could be broadened to include “Increase the learning of the relationship between food and health”.

“Food Waste” could be broadened to include processors “Producers, processors and consumers”.

Question 6: Do you have any additional comments on the Food Goals, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

Public Bodies may see this as an additional cost but there needs to be an understanding of the importance of the Food Bill and the wider benefits it will bring. Public bodies may need to adapt to different ways of working with the supply chain and this will likely increase workloads and costs in the short term but can only benefit in the long term. Industry wide discussions are important to identify the issues and develop solutions.

Question 7: Please provide your views on the inclusion of targets within the Bill as the means to measure how the Food Goals are being advanced.

The inclusion of targets in this Bill is an obvious and natural mechanism that is mirrored in many other Government Acts. This Bill needs targets included to provide focus, measure goals and accountability.

Question 8: Do you agree with the process for setting the targets?

Yes

Question 9: Do you think the reporting mechanisms set out in the draft Bill provide sufficient accountability and scope for scrutiny?

Yes

Question 10: Do you have any additional comments on the targets, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

Five years is a long time, particularly in an ever-changing world. The review should be every three-years instead of the proposed five-years.

Wales Food Commission

Question 11: What are your views on the need for a Welsh Food Commission?

We fully support the call for a Wales Food Commission.

Question 12: Do you agree with the goals and functions of the Welsh Food Commission? If not, what changes would you suggest?

Yes, we agree with the goals and functions of the Welsh Food Commission.

Question 13: Do you agree with the size of the membership of the Food Commission and the process for appointing its members?

We would suggest that the membership should include a chairperson and 6 other members. This would broaden the depth of knowledge and experience needed.

Question 14: What are your views on the proposal that the chair and members can serve a maximum term of five years and that an individual may be re-appointed as a chair or member only once? Do you believe this is appropriate?

Five years seems a long time for one group of people to be in post for a Commission that would need to be ever evolving. We would suggest a three-year term.

It may be sensible for members to be able to be re-elected but for there to be a gap in between re-election. So for example a member who’s term is set to come to an end could not stand in the next election of officers but in the subsequent election. They could perhaps become members of the proposed committees that sit under the Commission Board of members.

We feel that the Commission needs to be dynamic with fresh ideas and ways of working brought in, which a three-year term would facilitate.

Question 15: Do you have any additional comments on the Food Commission, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

National Food Strategy

Question 16: Do you agree that there is a need for a national food strategy?

Yes, absolutely. This will strengthen the objectives of the Food Bill, a National Food Strategy also portrays a positive attitude to the importance of food security etc to the people of Wales, and indeed the rest of the World.

Question 17: Do you believe the Welsh Government’s current strategies relating to ‘food’ are sufficiently joined up / coherent?

No. Whilst the food strategies are to be commended, we feel that there is room for improvement and this Bill will provide the necessary framework and mechanisms to deliver an improved food strategy in Wales.

Question 18: Does the draft Bill do enough to ensure that Welsh Ministers take advice and consult on the strategy before it is made. If no, what additional mechanisms would you put in place?

There is no mention of a public consultation process prior to agreeing a strategy. This may help inform, and should perhaps be considered?

Question 19: Do you think the provisions of the draft Bill relating to reporting on the national food strategy are sufficient? If not, what changes would you like to see?

Yes

Question 20: Do you think the provisions of the draft Bill relating to reviewing of the national food strategy are sufficient? If not, what changes would you like to see?

Yes

Question 21: Do you have any additional comments on the National Food Strategy, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

Local Food Plans

Question 22: Do you agree that there is a need for local food plans?

Yes. This will give a clear picture of what is going on in each region and would contribute to accountability on the delivery of the Food Bill in Wales.

Question 23: Does the draft Bill do enough to ensure that public bodies consult on their local food plans before they are made. If no, what additional mechanisms would you put in place?

Yes

Question 24: Do you think the provisions of the draft Bill relating to reporting on the local food plans are sufficient? If not, what changes would you like to see?

Yes

Question 25: Do you think the provisions of the draft Bill relating to reviewing of the local food plans are sufficient? If not, what changes would you like to see?

Question 26: Do you have any additional comments on local food plans, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

General Provisions

Question 27: Do you agree with the list of persons defined as being a ‘public body’ for the purpose of this Bill?

Yes

Question 27: Do you have any views on the process for making regulations set out in the Bill?

Question 27: Do you have any views on the proposed commencement date for the Act? General Views Please provide any additional information relevant to the draft Bill

We would suggest that any processes available to expedite this Bill at the Senedd should be utilised to progress this Bill to legislation as soon as possible taking in to consideration the current state of affairs.