Motion NDM7495 Siân Gwenllian

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes the importance of the food sector to a broad range of policy agendas in Wales, including the environment, health, economy and poverty.

2. Regrets the lack of alignment to provide a coherent national food policy within Welsh Government food strategies and action plans over the past decade.

3. Recognises that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of our current food system. 

4. Praises the role that Welsh farmers and producers play in keeping our shelves stocked.

5. Understands that the climate, nature and biodiversity crises increases the likelihood of extreme weather events which will heavily impact the global food system.

6. Notes that 14 per cent of UK families with children have experienced food insecurity between March and August 2020, and that the Trussell Trust gave out 70,393 emergency food parcels in Wales between April and September 2020.

7. Calls on the Welsh Government to:

a) move towards a more coherent approach to food policy in Wales by bringing together a cross-sector food system commission to be tasked with developing a roadmap to deliver a food system fit for future generations;

b) ensure food systems are more resilient to external factors in the long-term, such as the climate crisis;

c) develop local processing capacity across Wales; 

d) increase procurement of Welsh food and drink amongst public services.