A HOME WIN

When it comes to spending public money it makes perfect sense to work it extra hard, to extract as much value for money from it as possible. One way we can (at all levels) work public money extra hard is by raising the levels of local public procurement, to give Welsh companies and Welsh workers more opportunities to benefit from public spending so that and their wages can circulate in the local economy.

Back in 2012 statistics showed that only 52% of Welsh public spending goes to companies based in Wales. Value Wales calculated that every additional 1% increase means 2000 more jobs in Wales. Improving Welsh public sector procurement to reach 75% would mean an increase of 46,000 jobs in Wales. Plaid has rightly called for legislation in procurement best practice to help create almost 50,000 jobs in Wales.

For once Wales has been ahead of the curve (even if the current Labour in Wales government (in Cardiff) has been dragging their collective feet), this is something that was recommended to the Welsh Government in the summer of 2012 by the  McClelland Report for the Welsh Government. It is reasonable for the Welsh Government to take action to ensure that a greater percentage of that money can be spent locally in Wales.

Our local authorities spend around £4 billion pounds (April 2012) worth of our money buying goods and services. A target of 75% of the public sector spend, being spent here in Wales, is an excellent idea, as it means that  around £3 billion pounds of tax-payers money staying in Wales.

A survey commissioned by the Welsh Government (back in July 2010) reported that almost half of all food and drink bought by schools, hospitals and local authorities in Wales was of Welsh origin. The 2010 Welsh Public Sector Food Purchasing survey revealed that Local authorities had increased their purchases of local food by 90.5% in the previous six years.

Key categories included bread, milk, fruit and vegetables, ready meals, soft drinks, dairy products and water. The NHS (in Wales)  purchased 69% of the food and drink products in Wales, when it comes to milk on average, 50.9% of all the milk purchased by Welsh local authorities for schools was locally-produced.

Welsh higher education purchases accounted for 41.3% in 2009, this compared with 28.7% in 2003, in the field of further education some, 39.6% of purchases were of Welsh origin, up from a previous figure of 16.8%. The survey noted that only organisations the MoD and our Police Forces purchased less food sourced from Wales with a 0.4% decrease.

The procurement process should build upon Local Sourcing Action Plan’s and should lead to real social, economic and environmental benefits for all our communities by retaining the money spent in the local economy. This is sustainable development as local investment can provide a range of benefits across the whole of Wales benefiting local farmers, local suppliers and producers and local people.

One side effect of this should be a reduction in food miles, reduced carbon emissions which to help fight climate change and reduced transport costs. If this is done right then we can ensure that more of that money remains in local economies longer and benefits local firms and food suppliers, to use a footballing metaphor prior to the start of the season, there is no reason why this should not be a real home win for Wales.

YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN BOYS...

News that Downing Street has public criticised the retailers for their silence in the on-going horsemeat scandal may well be a significant development in the questionable relationship between the politicians (at Westminster and elsewhere) and the large supermarket retailers. With Downing Street criticising the apparent reluctance of stores involved in selling affected products to step up to the plate and comment publicly on the horsemeat crisis – this could be interpreted as David Cameron telling the supermarkets that they are on their own and that its time to face the music.

The BBC quoting Number 10 sources reported that they were told that “it isn't acceptable for retailers to remain silent while customers have been misled about the content of the food they have been buying". They also allegedly said that  those selling affected products should answer key questions such as how did the crisis arise, what inquiries have supermarkets made about their suppliers and how can any similar problems be avoided in the future.

Some people will always seek to maximise profits, regardless of the consequences for the rest of us. This whole sorry saga is about chasing profit, with the pressure coming down from above for the cheapest red meat, so that profits can be maximised by the retailers at the cost of quality. The retailers silence is telling, as their persistent failure to ask too many questions (or looking the other way) on the part of the larger retailers has led us to where we are now.

Irish food inspectors announced last month they had found horsemeat in some beefburgers made by firms in the Irish Republic and the UK, and sold by a number of UK supermarket chains including Tesco, Iceland, Aldi and Lidl. Since then, a growing number of UK retailers have recalled processed beef products found to contain horse DNA. UK police are currently investigating allegations that horsemeat was mislabelled as beef have arrested three men on suspicion of offences under the Fraud Act.

In response to finding themselves (temporarily) out in the cold some the reluctant purveyors of hidden horsemeat said that they would speak out once the results of tests to determine the presence of horsemeat in processed meals are released. The first results of industry-wide tests are due to be released sometime today (Friday 15th February 2013), they were ordered by the Food Standards Agency after the revelation that quantities of horsemeat had entered some beef ready meals.

Samples of beef products have been examined in laboratories for traces of horse DNA as part of the tests, and food retailers said they would have results from about 30% of their product ranges.
Retailers said getting through all their processed beef ranges could take several weeks. Some shops have already recalled products they found to be contaminated - including Asda which withdrew a beef bolognese sauce on Thursday, the first fresh beef product to be involved. Aldi, Tesco and Findus have also withdrawn some beef-based ready meals.

The problem with hidden horsemeat is not limited to the UK and Ireland as food safety experts from across Europe are due to meet in Brussels this morning to  try to draw up plans on how to conduct DNA testing of a large number of beef food products across much of the continent in the next few g weeks. This meeting follows accusations from the French government who accused meat processing company Spanghero of knowingly selling horsemeat labelled as beef. The firm has denied the allegations, saying it only ever dealt in meat it believed to be beef.

In the wake of the hidden horsemeat scandal it will come as no real surprise that trade in local butcher’s shops has risen by around 15%. What’s important is that the entire meat industry isn't tarred with the same brush and that people finally recognise the benefits of buying produce sourced locally. Here in Wales, we have excellent quality red meat much of which reaches us through our local butcher and other local shops rather than the larger retail outlets.

Our surviving local butchers and local shops are the vital backbone of the Welsh meat industry, so it’s important that they receive the support they need and deserve. This horsemeat scandal will knock customer confidence in the supermarkets, so what better way of helping this important sector of our local economy than by buying the safer, healthier option in local butchers shops and giving a much needed boost to some of our small businesses.

TIME FOR A HOME WIN!

Plaid’s ‘Buy Local’ campaign which aims to raise levels of local public procurement, giving Welsh companies and Welsh workers more opportunities to benefit from public spending so that and their wages can circulate in the local economy. The latest figures show that only 52% of Welsh public spending goes to companies based in Wales. Value Wales has calculated that every additional 1% increase means 2000 more jobs in Wales. Improving Welsh procurement to reach 75% would mean an increase of 46,000 jobs in Wales. Plaid has rightly called for legislation in procurement best practice to help create almost 50,000 jobs in Wales. Scotland is consulting on legislation to ensure that best practice in some areas becomes common practice across the public sector.

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood said:

“Public sector procurement in Wales has had some great successes in recent years to make sure that our Welsh pound is spent on jobs and skills in Wales.

“For example, 80% of money spent on the Arbed programme for home and energy efficiency improvements goes to companies located in Wales.

“That money means food on the table and a roof over the head for skilled Welsh workers and their families, and more money circulating within the local economy to be spent down the high street at the butchers, the hairdressers and the bakers.

“In contrast, money which goes to firms outside Wales is lost to our local economies – and that’s every one pound in two.

“There are ways of improving this at all levels, and it needn’t cost more.

“For example, professionally trained and specialised procurement staff in local authorities, such as those introduced by Caerphilly Council when Plaid Cymru were in charge, can generate both financial savings for the council and secure local jobs.

“Another good example is where Gwynedd Council agreed that the slate for improving Bangor High Street must come from local quarries, supporting 200 jobs in Penrhyn Quarry.

“However, the figures alone show that we can do better.

“If we can improve our procurement practices to increase from 51% to 75% of Welsh public spend to go to Welsh companies then that could create almost 50,000 jobs in Wales.

“The McClelland Report released last Summer suggested that, if best practice wasn’t being followed, then we should be legislating to make it happen.

“The Party of Wales believes that this legislation should be brought forward to ensure that this becomes common practice, not best practice.

“Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans has also called for the EU to simplify and relax their procurement rules to help Welsh businesses.”

For once Wales has been ahead of the curve (even if Labour’s elected representatives in Wales have been dragging their collective feet), as this is something that was recommended to the Welsh Government last summer by the  McClelland Report for the Welsh Government. I think that it is perfectly reasonable for the Welsh Government to take action to ensure that a greater percentage of that money can be spent locally in Wales. If you are going to spend public money then you need to work it extra hard and make sure you get real value for money. At local government level our local authorities spend around £4 billion pounds (April 2012) worth of our money buying goods and services. A target of 75% of the public sector spend, being spent here in Wales, is an excellent idea, as it means that  around £3 billion pounds of tax-payers money staying in Wales.

Back in July 2010 a survey commissioned by the National Assembly Government reported that almost half of all food and drink bought by schools, hospitals and local authorities in Wales was of Welsh origin, and the amount of locally-produced food bought by the public sector had risen by 65.8% in the last six years. The 2010 Welsh Public Sector Food Purchasing survey revealed that Local authorities had increased their purchases of local food by 90.5% in the previous six years. Key categories included bread, milk, fruit and vegetables, ready meals, soft drinks, dairy products and water.

The NHS (in Wales)  purchased 69% of the food and drink products in Wales, when it comes to milk on average, 50.9% of all the milk purchased by Welsh local authorities for schools was locally-produced. When it comes to Welsh purchases in higher education, accounted for 41.3% in 2009, compared with 28.7% in 2003, in the field of further education some, 39.6% of purchases were of Welsh origin, up from a previous figure of 16.8%. The survey reveals that the only organisations to have bought less Welsh food than previously were the MoD and the Welsh Police Forces, which saw a 0.4% decrease in Welsh origin purchases.

The process should build upon Local Sourcing Action Plan’s and should lead to real social, economic and environmental benefits for all our communities by retaining the money spent in the local economy. This is sustainable development as local investment can provide a range of benefits across the whole of Wales benefiting local farmers, local suppliers and producers and local people. This should also be a reduction in food miles, and reduced carbon emissions to help fight climate change. Plaid is right to pledge action to ensure that more of that money remains in local economies, this is a home win for Wales.

WORKING OUR MONEY HARD

One key issue in the election should be the way our local councils spend their (our) money. Our councils spend around £4 billion pounds worth of our money buying goods and services. Plaid is right to pledge action to ensure that more of that money remains in the local economies – which provide employment and support in our town centres and our communities.

I think that it is perfectly reasonable for the Welsh Government to take action to ensure that a greater percentage of that money can be spent locally in Wales. If you are going to spend public money then you need to work it extra hard and make sure you get real value for money. Plaid’s target of 75% of the public sector spend, being spent here in Wales, is an excellent idea, as it means that  around £3 billion pounds of tax-payers money staying in Wales.

Plaid Cymru Leader Leanne Wood AM said:

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities and of the wider Welsh economy. Plaid Cymru wants to see our public sector supporting small businesses by allowing them to bid for contracts to provide goods and services.


“The more public money we can lock into our communities, the more jobs will be safeguarded and created, the more businesses will flourish, and the more prosperity we’ll have as communities and as a nation.


“As part of the previous Welsh government, Plaid Cymru increased the number of public sector contracts going to Welsh companies to 50%. More work can be done to increase this figure to 75% which would lead to a £1billion boost for our economy.


“Plaid Cymru wants to see the Welsh government working together with local authorities to make this happen. Plaid Cymru councils will introduce procurement models that are accessible to smaller businesses and contracts which will include social and environmental clauses to promote the sustainable development of our economy.”

EVERY LITTLE HELPS (NOT)

As Tesco begins a whole sale roll down of prices, to (they say) benefit consumers some serious concerns are being expressed about the consequences for our farmers and suppliers. Welsh farmers and food suppliers are concerned that the prices they receive for their produce are going to get driven down, as Tesco will make efforts to avoid cutting its profits.

With Tesco dropping some of its prices and effectively declaring a Price War on its commercial rivals and competitors, the question is whose going to pay for it? The £500 million pound 'Big Price Drop' is an attempt to maintain Tesco’s share of the market rather than grow it. The real question is will the Tesco shareholders or management be the ones who absorb the pain of the cuts? Or the farmers and suppliers?

The National Farmers Union (NFU) Cymru and the Farmers Union of Wales have serious concerns is about the prices farmers get paid for their produce. Their experience tells them that the larger food retailers often expect their suppliers to share the pain of any cut in retail pricing.

Tesco already has what could be described as a fraught relationship with some of the farmers it uses to source its products. The National Farmers Union has talked openly about a ‘Climate of fear’ in the (monopoly) world of modern food retail, where the small producers are too scared to speak out about the abuses that are impoverishing them because they may run the risk of reprisals and lose the only customers there are for their produce.

The Con Dem Government, just like it's New Labour predecessor, has been dragging its feet about the prospect of legislation to create a supermarket watchdog to investigate alleged breaches of the Grocery Suppliers Code of Practice. The code was introduced after the Competition Commission found large retailers were passing on excessive risks and unexpected costs to their suppliers.

Part of the problem may be that the Political parties may have readily got used to some of the perks of having a close relationship with the Supermarkets (or power companies, etc) with their glossy adverts in conference brochures, free food at funded functions, etc. One very old rule is that once you sell your virtue it stays sold, and once you sell your principles they stay bought and the end result is that the fabric of our democracy is damaged or tainted, and nothing in this life is free.

Perhaps a more pertinent question to ask would be what do they (the Supermarkets) get for their money? Or at least what are they seeking in lieu of their donations? Or even when do they get it? The answer may well be a weak and watered down Supermarket Ombudsman - which is the last thing any of us needs, whether as a customer, a supplier or a farmer.

THE ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL

I have been looking forward to this years Abergavenny Food Festival (being held over this weekend) for a while once again (happily) it has once again not clashed with Plaid's annual conference, good for me, bad for my bank balance and (potentially) bad for my cholesterol.  Now well established, the food festival enriches the market town of Abergavenny (and the surrounding area) and adds to Abergavenny's well deserved reputation as the ‘Gateway to Wales’.

The Food Festival, is one of those well organised events that has put the town on the map, it manages successfully to attract visitors from far and wide and showcases exceptional local Welsh produce, local businesses and services and local talent (which we have plenty) within the former county of Gwent. This year's festival, will build on previous successes promises  and make a real difference to Abergavenny and add to the festivals well deserved and growing reputation which has given the traditional market town an international reputation and profile.

http://www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com

THE ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL

I have been looking forward to this years Abergavenny Food Festival (being held over this weekend) for some months - fortunately it seems no longer to clash with Plaid's annual conference, which is good for me and bad for my bank balance and potentially my cholesterol.  

The festival, which is now well established, enriches the market town of Abergavenny and the surrounding area and adds to Abergavenny's reputation as the ‘Gateway to Wales’. The Food Festival, is one of those well organised events that has helped to put the town on the map, and manages successfully to attract visitors from far and wide - both locally and from around the world and showcases exceptional local Welsh produce, local businesses and services and local talent - of which we have plenty of fine examples in the former county of Gwent. 

This year's festival, building on previous successes promises to be even better – the festival organisers and participants have helped make a real difference to Abergavenny and have added to the festivals well deserved and growing reputation as well as giving the traditional market town an international reputation and profile.

http://www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com

THE ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL

And speaking of local food and local food producers, we are not that far away from this years Abergavenny Food Festival. For the second year running it does not clash with Plaid's National Conference - so I can look forward to overloading my fridge with locally produced cheese and other interesting produce. The festival is an exceptionally good example of how to showcase local Welsh produce, local services, local businesses and our local talent to a wider world, while helping to enrich Abergavenny and the surrounding area in the process.

Lots of hard work by the organisers over the years has helped to further put Abergavenny on the map as the ‘Gateway to Wales’.  This year's festival looks like it will be even better than previous years – the festival organisers and participants have helped make a real difference to Abergavenny and have added to the towns well deserved reputation as well as giving the town an international reputation and profile,  as well as showcasing exceptionally fine local Welsh produce and local businesses. 

http://www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com

GOING LOCAL

The good news for both farmers, suppliers and consumers is that the amount of Welsh-produced food bought by public sector bodies across Wales has risen over the last few years. A survey commissioned by the National Assembly Government has reported that almost half of all food and drink bought by schools, hospitals and local authorities in Wales is now of Welsh origin, while the amount of locally-produced food bought by the public sector has risen by 65.8% in the last six years.

The 2010 Welsh Public Sector Food Purchasing survey reveals that Local authorities have increased their purchases of local food by 90.5% over the last six years. Key categories include bread, milk, fruit and vegetables, ready meals, soft drinks, dairy products and water. The NHS (in Wales)  purchases 69% of the food and drink products in Wales, when it comes to milk on average, 50.9% of all the milk purchased by Welsh local authorities for schools is locally-produced. 

When it comes to Welsh purchases in higher education, accounted for 41.3% in 2009, compared with 28.7% in 2003, in the field of further education some,e 39.6% of purchases were of Welsh origin, up from a previous figure of 16.8%. The survey reveals that the only organisations to have bought less Welsh food than previously were the MoD and the Welsh Police Forces, which saw a 0.4% decrease in Welsh origin purchases.

One of the priorities of the Welsh Assembly Government, that was set out in One Wales was a Local Sourcing Action Plan, to encourage local procurement of food and drink by the public sector. The plan to encourage more local purchasing which will leads to money being reinvested in local communities and local businesses. This also leads to a reduction in food miles, reduces carbon emissions which helps to fight climate change. 

The Plaid driven One Wales government strategy has begun a process that should lead to real social, economic and environmental benefits for our communities beginning the process by keeping the money spent in the local economy. This commitment to sustainable development is a good example of how local investment can provide a range of benefits across the whole of Wales benefiting local farmers, local suppliers and producers and local people.

STILL WAITING FOR A SUPERMARKET OMBUDSMAN?

Before the election, when every prospective politician was the farmers friend (or claimed to be at least) there was much talk from the big 3 London based parties about the need for a Supermarket Ombudsman. With potential votes in the offing all of a sudden it seemed a very good idea, especially if you were a Conservative, Liberal Democrat or Labour Party candidate, to talk up the prospects of having a Supermarket Ombudsman (with real teeth) who might be capable of protecting both the consumer, the supplier and the farmer from some of the more harsher aspects of monopolistic capitalism as practised by certain supermarkets.

Now don't get me wrong a Supermarket Ombudsman is a good idea and a measure of protection for the customer, the supplier and the farmers is a good idea that has (and is) long overdue - but it does seem to have gone awfully quiet since the election. When I was clearing my spare room I came across a hastily scribbled note from 2006 (probably in preparation for a Conference speech in 2006 / 2007) which even though we are a few years down the line should give most people some food for thought:

• The big '5' (in 2006) controlled almost 80% of the grocery sales in the UK
  

• Between 1995 and 2000 the UK lost one fifth of its local shops and local services - local post offices, local butchers, local branches of banks, grocers, etc


• The supermarkets have made and regular large donations (in cash or kind) to both New Labour, the Conservatives and other political parties.


• 54 years ago farmers received between 45 and 60% of the money that consumers spent on food.


• In 2006 it was just 7% in the UK, 3.5% int he USA and 18% in France.


• Gate prices don't make anything like a fair comparison with final Shelf price - in the UK farmers got (in 2006) something like 8 - 13% bellow the EU average gate price.

Now, if anything the situation is probably worse, there is a real clear and present danger that the Political parties have readily got used to some of the perks of having a close relationship with the Supermarkets, Power Companies, etc - with their glossy adverts in conference brochures, free food at funded functions, glossy paid adverts in conference brochures, etc. One very old rule is that once you sell your virtue it stays sold, and once you sell your principles they stay bought and the end result is that the fabric of our democracy is damaged or tainted.

A good and pertinent question to ask would be what do they (the Supermarkets) get for their money? or at least what are they seeking in lieu of their donations? The answer may well be a weak and watered down Supermarket Ombudsman - which is the last thing any of us needs, whether as a customer, a supplier or a farmer. Another question that needs to be asked is whatever did happen to that much vaunted pre-election idea of a Supermarket Ombudsman?

So far, not a lot...

LOCAL FOOD, LOCAL FARMERS

With an election coming, particularly in a rural constituency, everyone chasing votes will appear like magic and claim to be the farmer’s friend. Our farming communities, despite this forthcoming warm are feeling increasingly isolated and marginalized, the contempt with which the farmers used to be treated by the once New Labour Government in Westminster and until relatively recently in Cardiff Bay at least until the arrival of Elin Jones, Agriculture Minister in the Plaid driven One Wales Government , used to mirror the neglect of the important agricultural sector, which makes a significant contribution to our rural economy.

It is worth remembering that not that long ago in the 1980's it was a Tory Secretary of State who literally sat by and quietly did nothing when many of our Dairy farmers got hammered into the ground by cuts in the milk quota. Never again must any Welsh Minister fail to stand up and be counted and to fail to argue their corner on behalf of Welsh farmers. Now at least withElin Jones (AM), the Plaid One Wales Government Minister for Rural Affairs we have a minster who is not afraid to actually meet with and to stand up for our farmers and their interests - this is a refreshing change from what has gone before.

Much more of an effort to create a level playing field for our farmers and a real effort from National and Local government to secure 80% of publically procured food locally by 2015 – this could provide the first practical step towards helping Welsh farmers and other producers make the most of the new opportunities that will arise from higher public purchasing of local products.

Let’s not kid ourselves, any economic failure across the farming sector will have a massive knock on effects for dependent small businesses and suppliers across the whole rural economy, in the small towns and across the Welsh countryside itself; which is as a living landscape is a result of generations of ongoing hard work by the farming community.

The Plaid driven one Wales Government unlike previous governments in Westminster and Cardiff Bay no longer treats the agricultural sector with indifference. Most people agree that much more effort has to be made to market first class Welsh produce within Wales, within the UK and in Europe and beyond.

Now, our farmers, despite some mutterings to the contrary, are not just in the businesses of merely waiting for an annual brown envelope and cheque from Brussels but for a real opportunity to make a decent living within the agricultural sector - to do this they need a fair deal. We need to take practical steps to give Welsh farmers a fighting chance of making a real living; securing 80% of publicly procured food locally by 2015 is a realistic and practical aim.

This is something that could provide the first practical step towards helping Welsh farmers and other producers make the most of the new opportunities that will arise from higher public purchasing of local products and is something that will benefit local farmers, local businesses and the local economy.

A VERY GOOD DAY AT ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL

The Abergavenny Food Festival last week was exceptionally good - blessed by good weather and a bumper attendance. Even now my fridge is overloaded with far to much excellent local cheese and other produce. The food festival is a superb working example of how to showcase our local produce, local services, local businesses and our local talent to a wider world, successfully putting the town (and local produce) on the map, and successfully attracts visitors from around the world - long may it continue!

http://www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com

ABERGAVENNY FOOD FESTIVAL

The Abergavenny Food Festival is an exceptionally good example of how to showcase local Welsh produce, local services, local businesses and our local talent to a wider world, enriching Abergavenny and the surrounding area in the process – and adding to Abergavenny’s reputation as the ‘Gateway to Wales’.

The Food Festival has helped to put the town on the map, and attracts visitors from around the world and showcases exceptional local Welsh produce, local businesses and services and local talent.

This year’s festival promises to be even better – the festival organisers and participants have helped make a real difference to Abergavenny and have added to the towns well deserved reputation as well as giving the town an international reputation and profile.

http://www.abergavennyfoodfestival.com