The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs - Janet Finch-Saunders MS - has today (05 February) encouraged residents across Wales to engage with a Welsh Government consultation on public procurement reform, as the devolved administration confirms that a formal decision on the issue will be taken in March.

The UK's departure from the European Union provides Wales with an opportunity to reform procurement practices. As part of a long-running campaign to increase food security, Mrs Finch-Saunders has been a fierce advocate for a review of procurement rules, so as to boost public spend on those items grown and made in Wales.

Making the case for reform, Janet said:

"An urgent review of public procurement practices in Wales has been a consistent campaign of mine, since the very start of the Coronavirus pandemic. Our departure from the EU provides an unrivalled opportunity to reform the rules around this public spend, which will be an important first step towards greater food security.

"It should come as no surprise that the public sector is a significant contributor to the food and drink spend in Wales, estimated at a £78 million spend for the 2015/16 financial year. In fact, across that financial year, £20 million was spent by our health boards and £2 million was spent by Welsh further and higher education institutions.

"As things stand, the current rules work only as an unnecessary barrier which prevent local producers from winning lucrative public contracts. I would encourage all residents to contribute to this consultation. It is only by underlining the need for reform that the momentum for change can be ensured.

“Implementing new practices would maximise our long-term support of Welsh producers who not only provide essential employment opportunities for some of our most rural communities, but crucially also encourage a continued push towards high welfare standards. Greater localisation of our food spend is also a sensible response to the present climate emergency.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

• Residents can voluntarily complete the procurement reform survey by heading to: https://gov.wales/potential-procurement-reform-in-wales 
• Procurement for Welsh public bodies is not reserved and the Senedd can legislate in relation to procurement. Welsh Ministers will make a formal decision on a way forward for procurement reform in March 2021 once stakeholder feedback has been gathered and analysed.
• The UK has now joined the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA) as an independent member. Any procurement reform will need to comply with the GPA and Free Trade Agreements. The GPA is shorter than the EU Directives and less prescriptive on processes.

Photo: Markus Spiske on Unsplash