The third evidence session of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee on Public Sector Food Procurement took place last Tuesday. Minister for Agriculture and Food, Victoria Prentis MP, and Simon James, Director of Constitution and Borders at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs were in attendance. This proved opportune given the recent revelations of suboptimal food parcels delivered to students in receipt of Free School Meals during lockdown and reports of delays to Scottish fish exports arriving in the EU due to increased red-tape post Brexit.
Barry pressed the Minister for assurances that private contractors responsible for the shameful food parcels widely circulated on social media would not be engaged in the future. He also challenged for greater oversight of the nutritional standards of food parcels delivered during lockdown and the need for cultural sensitivity with regards specific dietary requirements for ethnic and religious minorities. Furthermore, Barry was able to challenge the Director of Constitution and Borders at DEFRA on the delays to Scottish Seafood exports as a result of requiring Export Health Certificates (EHC) post-Brexit and support the government are providing to exporters facing delays.
You can watch the exchanges below.