A letter to the editors of the national press:
Dear Sir…..
Don’t scare the horses….
Two food related scare stories and an exchange on the subject at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons all on one day? More than a coincidence? Horsemeat in burgers and a ‘silent epidemic’ of food poisoning from uncooked chickens (Poultry industry ‘must act’ over food poisoning bug – BBC radio 4, Face the Facts, 16/01/2013) topped by a question to the PM from Kent MP, Laura Sandys makes for a pretty full menuon this subject.
The Prime Minister’s response however is instructive. It is, as he said,‘ a completely unacceptable state of affairs’andretailers ‘have to be responsible for what they sell and where it comes from’. Consumer should indeed be able to be confident in the provenanceof the food they buy for their families.
In this matter, the local food and drink producer plays a crucial role in food safety and in the issue of long term food security.The local producer also makes an invaluable contribution to the rural economy, to conservation and biodiversity and to the richness of the cultural life of the nation.
‘Produced in Kent’, ably and generously supported by Kent County Council and Hadlow Collage, is the organisation representing local producers from across the county of Kent and are leading participants in the important national debate on the role of local growers and suppliers, both rural and urban. We welcome further engagement in this conversation which surely must now go beyond just a public apology in the national press by certain supermarkets.
We are clear there is now and will continue to be a huge but as yet largely untapped potential for this sector and every reason why there should be a strong, healthy and symbiotic relationship with all the major supermarkets to ensure more local and traceable produce enters the national food chain.
Clear and supportive signals are needed however, backed up by demonstrable actions from our politicians who should take their lead from the Prime Minister’s reply to Laura Sandys.
Buying local is good for the economy, good for the environment ,good for the family and in the national interest.
Yours faithfully,
Edwyn Martin.
Manager, Produced in Kent. Hadlow.
