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There are EU procurement directives, and related UK Regulations, that are designed to ensure that public procurement is fair, transparent and non-discriminatory. This helps explain why schools, hospitals, and care homes rarely provide fresh local food. Some attempts have been made to encourage national consumption, without actually saying so, by using the national flag colours. Most notable among these is the "Little Red Tractor" scheme, whose logo is red, white and blue. Unfortunately this logo doesnt guarantee British produce, as food can be sourced outside the UK and still attract the logo - provided it has been produced to "UK standards". The French resorted to labelling food: "Not made in France". Attempts have been made to introduce a law which would have made it legal to stick a "British" label on British food - and illegal to put it on food from anywhere else. ASDA is now proposing to flout the law head-on. Public sector contracting authorities can set reasonable requirements for delivery frequencies, freshness, taste etc. These criteria may give local suppliers a competitive advantage, but provided a foreign supplier is not denied an opportunity to compete on equal terms, then such criteria are legitimate. "Regional food" can be promoted as regional food has distinctive characteristics. Similarly it is perfectly legal to ask for "Melton Mowbray" pies or "Eccles Cakes" - because people other than those in Melton Mowbray or Eccles are allowed to make the food. So why shouldnt there be all sorts of local - distinctive - food products? The UK Office of Government Commerce has issued procurement policy guidance to all Whitehall Departments to help them promote a policy of "Fair Trade" without contravening EU rules. Probably the easiest way round this is go to your local farm shop... |