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Today, the government came up with a proposal that the Public Procurement Act be tightened. When purchasing animal products, the same requirements must apply as for Swedish food producers.
In order to facilitate the Swedish farmers, so that they do not suffer from competitive disadvantages due to public procurement, the government now wants the law to be tightened. The government wants to legislate on mandatory requirements for animal welfare and low antibiotic use, and that all municipalities, county councils and authorities must make high demands on production. Just like in Sweden. The proposal is welcomed by LRF and Swedish Kött.
"It is excellent and increases the possibility that preschools, schoolrooms and retirement homes serve high-quality Swedish-produced Swedish food," said Åsa Odell, chairman of the LRF meat delegation in a press release.
Fought for a long time
For several years, LRF has worked for the procurement of raw materials and foodstuffs to comply with the requirements laid down in Swedish legislation. It should apply to all food production. It was Minister of Civil Affairs, Ardalan Shekarabi and Minister of Consumer Affairs, Per Bolund, who reported that work was commenced to tighten the Public Procurement Act. Something really needed by LRF. Already now, the procurement authority has criteria that support public purchasers to choose Swedish and it has led to the increase in the proportion of Swedish food in recent years.
"But it is still too many municipalities that go for the lowest price. This means that schoolchildren and elderly people often eat food that is produced in an environmentally poorer way or with poorer animal care and higher antibiotic use, "says Åsa.
Get hold of
Elisabeth Qvarford, CEO of Swedish Kött, is the many municipalities that today do not use the opportunity to impose stricter requirements. Photo: Carolina Wahlberg.
Even Elisabeth Qvarford, CEO of Swedish Kött, welcomes the proposal from the government.
"The governments proposal is something that Swedish Kött has been working for a long time. Obviously, the food served in schools, the elderly and hospitals will meet the high demands on food production that is placed on our Swedish farmers, "she said in a press release.
According to Swedish Kött, authorities have been given the opportunity to impose stricter requirements since the new procurement laws began to apply. Which is done in cika 60 percent of the cases. According to a survey that Svenskt Kött has done, it is despite the many municipalities that still do not take that opportunity.
- Swedish taxpayers money should not be spent on foods that the same taxpayer has opted for when they shop in the grocery store. There are no excuses for not serving sustainably produced meat in our municipalities, but it requires political prioritization and better claimability, "said Elisabet.
Creates uncertainty
The current regulatory framework has created uncertainty among both manufacturers and suppliers. Many have had to find innovative solutions when writing procurement documents, but many smaller municipalities have not had the resources to find solutions and open to smaller suppliers.
Increased consumption
After summer heat and drought, many LRF farmers have put themselves in a difficult situation, thus all initiatives that simplify increased consumption of Swedish food are important. Especially if Sweden has continued domestic and high-quality food production.
"But it is still too many municipalities that go for the lowest price. This means that schoolchildren and elderly people often eat food that is produced in an environmentally poorer way or with poorer animal care and higher antibiotic use, "says Åsa.
In this situation, the proposal from the government only covers the procurement of animal products. LRF also wants to see a lagging around other foods, such as fruit and vegetables, cereals and dairy products. Now the government is commencing work to review how the legislation can be formulated with respect to EU legislation and other international commitments.
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