Cyflwynwyd yr ymateb hwn i’r ymgynghoriad ar y Bil Bwyd (Cymru) Drafft

This response was submitted to the consultation on the Draft Food (Wales) Bill

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Ymateb gan: | Response from: Unigolyn | An individual

Overarching principles

Question 1: Do you agree with the overarching principles that the Bill seeks to achieve?

Yes

We should be sourcing our food locally, not from thousands of miles away and with the dismantling of legislation following leaving the EU and new trade deals farmers need support to survive against cheap low quality food produced to low standards being imported.

Question 2: Do you think there is a need for this legislation? Can you provide reasons for your answer.

Yes

Without Welsh legislation we are subject to the whims of Westminster who will have little regard for the livelihood of Welsh farmers or the quality of food we are able to buy. We are sadly also now aware that any pronouncements they may make are not to be trusted so we must control our own food supply chain.

Food Goals

Question 3: Please provide your views on the inclusion of the Food Goals within the Bill as the means to underpin the policy objectives.

Yes

Question 4: Do you agree with the inclusion of a Primary Food Goal supplemented by Secondary Food Goals?

Yes

Question 5: Are there additional / different areas you think should be included in the Food Goals?

Standards of food quality or Wales risks being dragged in to a "race to the bottom" as standards and safeguards are stripped away by UK government.

Question 6: Do you have any additional comments on the Food Goals, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

Food standards is a devolved matter. Do we have the resources to set and control standards in food that markedly improve on and differ from the England standards. Should we, yes, but do we have the resources

Question 7: Please provide your views on the inclusion of targets within the Bill as the means to measure how the Food Goals are being advanced.

Yes, you must have targets and outcomes

Question 8: Do you agree with the process for setting the targets?

Yes

Question 9: Do you think the reporting mechanisms set out in the draft Bill provide sufficient accountability and scope for scrutiny?

yes

Question 10: Do you have any additional comments on the targets, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

Wales Food Commission

Question 11: What are your views on the need for a Welsh Food Commission?

Yes, essential. Standards in England continue to fall in many areas and we must try to not let Wales be dragged into the gutter by this

Question 12: Do you agree with the goals and functions of the Welsh Food Commission? If not, what changes would you suggest?

It doesn't say it will set standards and it needs to

Question 13: Do you agree with the size of the membership of the Food Commission and the process for appointing its members?

yes

Question 14: What are your views on the proposal that the chair and members can serve a maximum term of five years and that an individual may be re-appointed as a chair or member only once? Do you believe this is appropriate?

Yes

Question 15: Do you have any additional comments on the Food Commission, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

National Food Strategy

Question 16: Do you agree that there is a need for a national food strategy?

Yes, farmers are under threat from all sorts of directions. Loss of EU funding, competition from poor quality imports, high energy costs. and yet the food they produce is vital. We will not be supported in this from Westminster. To steal a phrase, we must "Take Back Control"

Question 17: Do you believe the Welsh Government’s current strategies relating to ‘food’ are sufficiently joined up / coherent?

Probably not.

Question 18: Does the draft Bill do enough to ensure that Welsh Ministers take advice and consult on the strategy before it is made. If no, what additional mechanisms would you put in place?

Yes

Question 19: Do you think the provisions of the draft Bill relating to reporting on the national food strategy are sufficient? If not, what changes would you like to see?

Yes

Question 20: Do you think the provisions of the draft Bill relating to reviewing of the national food strategy are sufficient? If not, what changes would you like to see?

yes

Question 21: Do you have any additional comments on the National Food Strategy, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

Local Food Plans

Question 22: Do you agree that there is a need for local food plans?

No, the impact of a health board or Local authority is very limited. They are not producers or suppliers of food, they are only consumers in a small way. The real impact is in the main population.

Question 23: Does the draft Bill do enough to ensure that public bodies consult on their local food plans before they are made. If no, what additional mechanisms would you put in place?

Yes

Question 24: Do you think the provisions of the draft Bill relating to reporting on the local food plans are sufficient? If not, what changes would you like to see?

yes

Question 25: Do you think the provisions of the draft Bill relating to reviewing of the local food plans are sufficient? If not, what changes would you like to see?

Yes

Question 26: Do you have any additional comments on local food plans, including the resource implications of the proposals and how these could be minimised?

These are not needed, they will have minimal impact and place yet another burden in a hard pressed NHS

General Provisions

Question 27: Do you agree with the list of persons defined as being a ‘public body’ for the purpose of this Bill?

The public will not look kindly on a bill that places an extra burden on an NHS that can't do it's core business well.

Question 28: Do you have any views on the process for making regulations set out in the Bill?

Seems a bit onerous, has to be laid before the Senedd, is this normal?

Question 29: Do you have any views on the proposed commencement date for the Act?

General Views

Please provide any additional information relevant to the draft Bill.

Do we need better food regulation and higher standards to support our farmers, yes of course we do

Are LA and haleth baords able to make a substantial difference, no they aren't