The Welsh Government has announced the membership of the Expert Working Group that will help shape the National Food Strategy for Wales, alongside the publication of the group’s Terms of Reference.
The group is chaired by Simon Wright, owner of Wright’s Food Emporium in Llanarthne, appointed in July. Since then, he has worked with key figures in the sector to develop the Terms of Reference, which set out the rationale, objectives and working methods for the strategy going forward.
Joining Simon Wright on the Expert Working Group are:
• Ian Rickman, FUW
• Sarah Gould, Lantra
• Tim Lang, City University London
• Deiniol ap Dafydd, Blas ar Fwyd
• Catherine Smith, Chair, Hybu Cig Cymru
• Sue Pritchard, Chief Executive, Food, Farming and Countryside Commission
• Sam Kemp, Torfaen Food Partnership
• Shea Buckland-Jones, Head of Policy and Advocacy, WWF Cymru
• Dr Rhian Hayward, Wales Board Member, Food Standards Agency
• A representative from NFU Cymru
The group will meet to identify shared challenges and opportunities across the food system, recommend early, practical interventions ahead of the final Strategy, and design ways for the public to help shape and own the strategy’s development. Final adoption of the recommendations will remain the responsibility of Welsh Ministers.
The strategy will be built around four pillars:
- Health and wellbeing
- Food Security,
- Economy and rural development
- Environment
These will guide a whole-system approach to food policy in Wales, from producer to plate; retail, health, education, public procurement and the circular economy.
To make early progress, three groups will focus on food in schools, expanding edible horticulture in Wales, and the security of the Welsh meat supply chain. These sub-groups will draw on additional external expertise to identify quick wins alongside the longer-term work of the strategy.
