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Regional and local food
The Government's Regional Food Strategy aimed to help establish a flourishing quality regional food sector in England. Defra worked with Food from Britain (FFB), the Regional Food Groups (RFGs) and the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) to deliver support for the quality food sector under the Regional Food Strategy and prepared a structure for support of quality regional food initiatives.
This was one of the measures assisting farmers to add value as set out in our Sustainable Strategy for Farming and Food. The aim was to help establish a flourishing quality regional food sector in England and to encourage more UK applications under the EU protected food name scheme.
Funding for the quality regional food sector has now come to an end. The additional funding was always intended as a short term measure and came to an end on 31 March 2008. The Government provided FFB with an additional £5 million over 5 years to support the sector (03/04 to 07/08). However, support for the sector continues at a regional level, by the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) for activities linked to the promotion of quality regional and local food culture.
The RDAs are also responsible for the delivery of part of Defra’ s Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), which was agreed by the European Commission last year. Support is available under this Programme for improving the competitiveness of a wide range of rural businesses, which could include regional food producers.
Defra is the competent authority for the EU protected food name scheme with responsibility for the delivery element of that work resting with ADAS.
Page last modified: 21 July 2009
Page published: 21 July 2009