§ Mr. HayesTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on public sector procurement of United Kingdom sourced food products. [128242]
§ Alun MichaelDefra's policy on the UK's public sector procurement of food is given in the guidance we have published on integrating sustainable development issues into public procurement of food and catering. It explains that buyers should ensure that specifications do not discriminate against or prevent local businesses from competing in the supply market, while pointing out that the EC Treaty and EC procurement directives do not permit discrimination on the basis of nationality. The guidance is aimed at the public sector as a whole and should help to increase the opportunities for local and UK producers to compete for public sector contracts. Information can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/sustain/procurement/index.htm.