I’d just firstly like to start by paying tribute to Peter Fox for all the hard work the Member for Monmouth has done to date to get the Bill to this point. The purpose of this Bill is admirable and timely, and I strongly disagree with the Minister: it is the right Bill at the right time. It aims to establish a more sustainable food system here in Wales, which certainly the country has been crying out for for some time, encouraging joined-up thinking across stakeholders, which has sadly been lacking to date.

The aim is to establish a more sustainable food system in Wales. This means strengthening our food security through resilient supply chains, supporting development of our food industry, and increasing consumer knowledge of where food comes from. Gaining this knowledge I know to be crucial, especially in our schools. The Bill really has an opportunity not only to ensure we’re sustainable as a nation whilst increasing our food security, but also it is a huge opportunity to really transform food education and the quality and localness of food in Wales’s schools, as you’ve already touched on, reducing those food miles and supporting local economies and rural communities through local procurement. It would be great if that was the outcome of this Bill, which I know is what you intend, Peter. I’ve no doubt that using local food in our schools would not only improve education on where food comes from, but the importance of buying local, and the environmental impact of doing so, as well as the equality of improving the health of our children and tackling childhood obesity.

So, you’ve touched on it already, but what conversations have you had with schools, with local authorities and producers—as you outlined already that you were interested in—regarding this, when you were putting together this Bill? I do strongly believe, Deputy Presiding Officer, that it’s time to celebrate, support and utilise our local produce in an effective and efficient way, finally, and that’s why I urge everybody in this Chamber today to support Peter Fox’s Food (Wales) Bill.