§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what recent efforts his Department has made to promote local sourcing of food produce; and if he will make a statement. [24461]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government are firmly committed to promoting the local sourcing of food produce, particularly through their grant aid scheme for the establishment of regional groups of speciality producers and the practical assistance provided to these and other groups by Food From Britain.
I myself will shortly be opening the Food and Drink Expo 98 exhibition in Birmingham which will have a dedicated British speciality foods sector which is directly sponsored by FFB and MAFF. We have also ensured that food served in the VIP suite reflects regional foods.
Further, as part of his personal commitment to this sector, my noble Friend Lord Donoughue of Ashton has recently announced that he will refuse to stay at hotels which do not serve locally produced food and drink and has challenged other business travellers to do the same.