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Final Response to the DEFRA Formal Consultation on the Government Buying

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January 2011

FDF are not opposed to the principle of Government showing leadership in trying to improve environmental sustainability and public health through its own purchasing policies for food and food services. However, this needs to be done within the normal rules of fair competition and in accordance with EU requirements for public procurement and the free circulation of goods within the Single Market.

We remain to be convinced that the criteria chosen for the GBS will deliver either the desired policy outcomes or meet these wider considerations. Nor do we fully understand how the approach will achieve support for British farming and food industries given the need to ensure that products and services meeting equivalent standards cannot be discriminated against on grounds of national origin.

More Information

FDF Response: DEFRA Consultation: Impact Assessment (IA) of Government Buying Standards (GBS) for food and food services. - pdf | 64kb