Local authorities are being urged to keep high-quality Welsh lamb and beef on the menu for schools and nursing homes – despite recessionary constraints.
Rees Roberts, chairman of Meat Promotion Wales (Hybu Cig Cymru), praised the purchasing policy of the Welsh local authorities and NHS boards, like Denbighshire, which specifies only Welsh lamb or beef on the menu.
“Some local authorities specify that only Welsh lamb will do for their schools – take Denbighshire and Conwy as good examples,” he said during a breakfast meeting on the first day of the two-day annual Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Winter Fair.
“The public sector will find its budget squeezed in the years to come, forcing local authorities to make tough choices about the level of services (it provides) to the public.
“I would appeal to them that one area where they don’t reduce costs is in the purchase of food for our children, elderly people and patients.
“It’s important that the young and most vulnerable in our society continue to be offered the best meat that is available, and to my mind that meat is Welsh.”
Cabinet Lead Member for Environment and Sustainable Development, Councillor Eryl Williams, was pleased to hear Denbighshire’s stance on purchasing only Welsh meat for Schools Meals has won praise from Meat Promotion Wales.
“Welsh meat is renowned across the world for its excellent quality and without doubt, it is the natural choice for our authority to ensure we provide the very best quality meat to our schools and residential homes.”
“Buying locally supports our farmers and therefore our local economy – it also reduces the amount of miles food has to be transported – Welsh is definitely best for Denbighshire School Meals!”
