§ 35. Andrew SelousTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to assist farmers to sell their produce locally. [46545]
§ Alun MichaelThe England Rural Development Programme provides grant aid for a range of activities that may be of benefit to farmers seeking to sell produce locally. We have also assisted various local projects under the Agricultural Development Scheme as well as supporting the National Association of Farmers' Market's training and accreditation programmes and the development of the South West Food and Drink Organisation.
Through Food from Britain we contribute to the funding of a network of regional food groups which provide trade development services to regional and speciality food producers, some of whom will be farmers. Food from Britain has been active in encouraging supermarkets to stock more local produce.
We have actively encouraged the development of farmers' markets, as has the Countryside Agency which we grant-aid. Farmers may also derive benefit from the Countryside Agency's "Eat the View" programme which seeks to achieve more favourable market conditions for local products that support sustainable land management.