Peter Fox MS has won the ballot for his Food Bill to be debated in the Welsh equivalent of Westminster’s private members bill.
The purpose of the Bill is to establish a more sustainable food system in Wales to strengthen food security, improve Wales’ socioeconomic well-being, and enhance consumer choice.
The Bill would also aim to place a duty on Welsh Ministers to produce an annual Food Strategy for Wales to tackle food poverty and malnutrition, to ensure the sustainable growth of the food sector to create jobs and attract investment, and to ensure that sustainable local food producers have access to adequate support and incentives
It would also establish a Wales Food Commission to co-produce and deliver a more integrated and resilient food system strategy in collaboration with stakeholders; alongside this, the bill would aim to eliminate all forms of food waste and mandate supermarkets and other relevant shops to donate unwanted food to charities and food banks to help the most vulnerable in society.
Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Finance, Peter Fox MS, said:
“I’m delighted that I have won the ballot to introduce this bill. Not only would this bill establish a more sustainable food system in Wales to strengthen food security, but it would put local communities at the heart of all decisions.
“As Wales tries to bounce back from the pandemic, we need to see dynamic ideas that will enhance livelihoods, cut waste, strengthen supply chains and make sure no one goes hungry in Wales, as this Bill would.
“Welsh families and businesses need proper support and peace of mind; this bill would provide that – they certainly don’t need another five years of Welsh Labour pontificating whilst people all across Wales go hungry.”
