Today, Shaun Leavey OBE, Chairman of the SE Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy Board, visited the Isle of Wight to receive the Sustainable Farming and Food Charter from the Isle of Wight Council signed by the Leader, David Pugh and the Chief Executive, Steve Beynon.
Mr Leavey was on the Isle of Wight to visit some of the projects which have received funding from LEADER, including Little Duxmore Farm, home to Matt Bowman’s egg grading facility. It was at Little Duxmore where Mr Leavey received the signed Farming and Food Charter.
Mr Leavey explained “The farming and food industry has three key challenges; to compete successfully with the world’s best, care for the environment, and build public confidence in what it produces. The industry needs to achieve these aims to be sustainable which is why it’s so important to have the support of the Local Authority behind them”.
By signing the Charter, the Isle of Wight Council has committed its support to the Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy Board’s Charter, encouraging sustainability within land management and regional food production. The Isle of Wight Council will support the Charter’s objectives by actively developing, encouraging and facilitating local measures to achieve these aims.
Mr Leavey then went on to visit other projects supported by LEADER including Agri.cycle based on Werrar Farm and the Isle of Wight Grain in Cowes.