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Cameron urges British food labels Cameron British food labels call
(about 1 hour later)
Conservative leader David Cameron is calling for clearer labelling so people can buy genuinely British food. Conservative leader David Cameron says clearer labelling is needed to help shoppers buy genuinely British food.
Mr Cameron says that under current rules shoppers can be wrongly led to believe produce from abroad is British. Mr Cameron says that under current rules people can be wrongly led to believe produce from abroad is British.
Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference, he plans to talk about the rise of "food patriotism". He also told the Oxford Farming Conference that the handling of farming subsidies, many of which have been paid late, had been "a complete disgrace".
Meanwhile, Environment Secretary David Miliband is to call on farmers to benefit from global warming by getting involved in growing crops for biofuels. Meanwhile Environment Secretary David Miliband will call on farmers to get involved in growing crops for biofuels.
Mr Cameron is to tell the conference that labelling of produce must be "rigorous and transparent". Mr Cameron told the conference that labelling of produce must be "rigorous and transparent".
Under current rules, processing of foreign produce in the UK allows it to be labelled as British, the Tory leader says.Under current rules, processing of foreign produce in the UK allows it to be labelled as British, the Tory leader says.
Consumer choiceConsumer choice
"Today British consumers can find it difficult to back British farmers, because of inadequate labelling."Today British consumers can find it difficult to back British farmers, because of inadequate labelling.
"Food can be imported to Britain, processed here, and subsequently labelled in a way that suggests it's genuinely British. That is completely wrong. "Food can be imported to Britain, processed here, and subsequently labelled in a way that suggests it's genuinely British. That is completely wrong."
The saga of the Rural Payments Agency, and late payments, was nothing short of a complete disgrace David Cameron
He told the conference he believed there was a rise in "food patriotism", with more people buying British, and said government policy should make it easier for people to set up farmers' markets and farm shops.
And he suggested the government, which spends £1.8m a year on food for the public sector, had no way of measuring the success of its attempts to encourage public bodies to buy food locally.
The government had been guilty of some "rank inefficiency" towards the countryside, he added.
"The saga of the Rural Payments Agency, and late payments, was nothing short of a complete disgrace," he said.
"In any other walk of life, the person ultimately in charge would have to take responsibility. In politics, in this country, under this government, they get made foreign secretary"
Global warming creates problems - but it will also create new markets and new opportunities David MilibandEnvironment secretaryGlobal warming creates problems - but it will also create new markets and new opportunities David MilibandEnvironment secretary
"I cannot overstate the importance of enabling informed consumer choice.
"Effective marketing can only be achieved if labelling is accurate and clear."
Prince Charles has often spoken of the need for people to buy regional food to sustain farming and communities, and there is increasing opposition to purchasing food flown in from across the world out of season because of environmental concerns.
Mr Cameron suggests that shoppers in the UK can taste the difference with food that has travelled long distances.
Biofuel opportunity
Speaking at the same conference, Mr Miliband will say that although much attention has been focused on the negative aspects of global warming, farmers can benefit economically.Speaking at the same conference, Mr Miliband will say that although much attention has been focused on the negative aspects of global warming, farmers can benefit economically.
Opportunities will arise as more consumers switch to biofuels, fuel typically derived from certain crops.Opportunities will arise as more consumers switch to biofuels, fuel typically derived from certain crops.
Mr Miliband will say: "Global warming creates problems - but it will also create new markets and new opportunities.Mr Miliband will say: "Global warming creates problems - but it will also create new markets and new opportunities.
"That doesn't mean it is a good thing; it does mean we need to make the most of it.""That doesn't mean it is a good thing; it does mean we need to make the most of it."
But he will warn that those who cause pollution, including those involved in agriculture of import and export, will have to pay.But he will warn that those who cause pollution, including those involved in agriculture of import and export, will have to pay.
UK farmers will have a chance to become leaders in the field of "green" agriculture, he will say.UK farmers will have a chance to become leaders in the field of "green" agriculture, he will say.