Environment minister Hilary Benn has recently talked about the UK becoming more self-sufficient in its food production and has stated that “it’s about people eating more food seasonally”.

Disappointing, therefore, that the Government does not practise what it preaches.

As part of its Rural Manifesto campaign to promote British farmers and producers, the Countryside Alliance wrote to the main Government departments asking how much of the produce they serve is British. Only the Treasury scored well.

The answers would make Mr Benn blush. This is simply not good enough.

Simon Hart
Chief Executive
Countryside Alliance
Kennington Road
London