asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What action the Department for Work and Pensions is taking to implement the public sector food procurement initiative in respect of its purchasing of pork and bacon; what proportion of pork and bacon purchased is British; what attention is given to farm assurance, animal welfare, and health and nutrition; and how often purchasing policy is reviewed.[HL4827]

The department has developed its own action plan to meet the objectives of the public sector food procurement initiative (PSFPI). Sixty-five per cent of all pork procured is British and the aim is to increase this by 5 per cent over the coming year. While none of the bacon procured is British, this is currently being reviewed with the department’s supplier with the intention of procuring British bacon in the future.

The department’s supplier procures all food products, including pork and bacon, on behalf of the department and is committed to ensuring that its procurement satisfies sustainable and ethical practices. The supplier reviews its food procurement policy annually and the department undertakes monthly reviews with the supplier to track progress against the PSFPI. These reviews are used to discuss opportunities for domestic producers and the use of assurance marks, while keeping within the policy and legal framework governing public sector procurement. Advice on this is given in the guide Putting it into Practice, which is provided on the PSFPI website at: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/resources.htm.

A report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by government departments and supplied to hospitals and prisons under contracts negotiated by NHS Supply Chain and HM Prison Service is available on the PSFPI website at: www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/pdf/govt-food-usage.pdf. Up-to-date data will become available towards the end of the year when Defra plans to publish a new report.

The department is fully aware of, and acknowledges, the BPEX (British Pig Executive) report Is the Government Buying British and has recently written to BPEX to outline its plans to increase the procurement of British pork and bacon.

asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What action the Department for Children, Schools and Families is taking to implement the public sector food procurement initiative in respect of its purchasing of pork and bacon; what proportion of pork and bacon purchased is British; what attention is given to farm assurance, animal welfare, and health and nutrition; and how often purchasing policy is reviewed. [HL4829]

The Department for Children, Schools and Families and our catering provider, Aramark, are fully aware of the public sector food procurement initiative (PSFPI) in respect of their purchasing of pork and bacon. Since its creation on 28 June 2007, 24 per cent of the department’s pork and 0 per cent of its bacon has been purchased from British sources. Measures are in place to increase these percentages and Aramark and the trade sector manager of food service for the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board Meat Services/BPEX are currently in dialogue with one of their existing suppliers to develop a UK bacon that will be price competitive compared to imported options.

The department is constantly working in partnership with our provider to increase opportunities to address the six PSFPI objectives while keeping within the policy and legal framework governing public sector procurement. This includes design of menus that are nutritionally balanced, lower in saturated fat, salt and added sugar. In addition, menus are colour-coded, according to their nutritional/dietary content, to inform customers. All the catering suppliers have in place their own welfare and farm assurance schemes and are independently audited to ensure that they adhere to the standards and accreditations of which they are members. This includes the specific legislation that is in place for animal welfare. As a minimum, these suppliers are required to operate to BRC grade A in the UK.

The department is also aware of the recent British Pig Executive (BPEX) and National Pig Association (NPA) report, launched in the House of Lords in July 2008. Details of our pork and bacon purchased for 2006-07 are included in this. Defra plans to publish a new report with up-to-date data towards the end of the year.

Additional information regarding data on farm-assured, organic, fair trade and seasonal produce is contained within the Defra report (revised in January 2008) Proportion of Domestically Produced Food Used by Government Departments.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action the Ministry of Defence is taking to implement the public sector food procurement initiative in respect of its purchasing of pork and bacon; what proportion of pork and bacon purchased is British; what attention is given to farm assurance, animal welfare, and health and nutrition; and how often purchasing policy is reviewed. [HL4890]

The MoD has a permanent seat on the Government's Food Procurement Implementation Group, which is responsible for the public sector food procurement initiative and is active in supporting its work.

Under the MoD's current food supply contract, the annual pork requirement is for approximately 720 tonnes, of which 100 per cent is British and conforms to the British Pork Executive quality standard mark. Additionally, 41 tonnes of whole gammons were purchased last year which were also sourced from British pork. Currently, none of the bacon purchased is British. There is, however, an initiative in hand which may present the opportunity to purchase some of our requirements for bacon from Britain.

Information in respect of pork and bacon procured outside the MoD food supply contract, such as for contract catering/pay-as-you-dine establishments, is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

All food purchased through the MoD food supply contract is subject to extensive and stringent quality standards, encompassing farm assurance, animal welfare, and health and nutrition. These meet, or exceed, all extant EC and legislative standards.

Purchasing policy is constantly reviewed, and work continues with the Meat and Livestock Commission to identify opportunities for increasing the volume of British meat while ensuring value for money, quality standards and availability.