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Food (Wales) Bill - Bill Summary

Published 18/05/2023 | Reading Time minutes

The Food (Wales) Bill was introduced as a ‘Member Bill’ at the end of last year, following Peter Fox’s success in the Member Bill ballot.

The Bill aims to provide a new overarching framework for a better food system. Its key objective is to integrate economic, health, social, education and environmental considerations to create a more sustainable and coherent approach to food. It would legislate in three main areas to:

introduce ‘food goals’: comprising a ‘primary food goal’ and ‘secondary food goals’ with targets;
establish a Welsh Food Commission to monitor progress, advise Welsh Ministers and assist public bodies in relation to their duties under the Bill; and
require production of a national food strategy and local food plans.

The Bill has been welcomed by many stakeholders who have argued the Welsh Government’s current approach to food is disjointed.

The Bill was referred to the Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee for Stage 1 scrutiny. Although the Committee unanimously supported the policy objectives of the Bill, it could not come to a unified position on the need for legislation to deliver those objectives. Therefore it is not providing a recommendation to the Senedd on whether it should agree the Bill’s general principles. The Senedd will debate and vote on the general principles on 24 May 2023.

This new Senedd Research briefing summarises the Bill and the issues which arose during Stage 1 scrutiny.

Our infographic below provides a tool to understand what the Bill does.

Select a category:

Select a section:

Section 1

Section 1 imposes a duty on public bodies to advance the primary and secondary food goals.

Section 2

Section 2 establishes the primary food goal - "provision of affordable, healthy, and economically, environmentally and socially sustainable food for the people of Wales".

Section 3

Section 3 sets out secondary food goals with descriptions under the headings: economic well-being; health and social; education; environment; and food waste. Descriptions can be amended by the Welsh Ministers following consultation with the Welsh Food Commission.

Section 4

Section 4 requires the Welsh Ministers to set targets for each secondary food goal by regulations which must be made within two years of this section coming into force (which is three months after Royal Assent). They must set a measurable standard and target date.

Section 5

Sections 5 creates a requirement for the Welsh Ministers to consult when setting targets and for the Ministers to be satisfied that the target is achievable.

Section 6

Section 6 imposes reporting duties on the Welsh Ministers regarding the targets.

Section 7

Section 7 sets out requirements for reviewing the targets. This includes a requirement for a first review of targets to be completed within five years of this section coming into force (which is three months after Royal Assent). Subsequent reviews must be completed within five years of the previous review's completion.

Section 8

Section 8 establishes the Welsh Food Commission.

Section 9

Section 9 sets the objectives of the Welsh Food Commission - to promote and facilitate achievement of the primary and secondary food goals / targets.

Section 10

Section 10 establishes the Welsh Food Commission's functions including: developing and advising on food policies, and overseeing / reviewing food goals and targets related to public body functions.

Section 11

Section 11 introduces the Schedule which details the Welsh Food Commission's operation, including its status, membership, salary, staff, internal workings, funding, reports and accounts. The Welsh Ministers must consult the Senedd in appointing the chair and members.

Section 12

Section 12 requires the Welsh Ministers to prepare a national food strategy, including policies advancing the primary and secondary goals, within two years of this section coming into force (which is three months after Royal Assent).

Section 13

Section 13 establishes the strategy-making process. The Welsh Ministers must seek the Welsh Food Commission's advice and may seek the Future Generations Commissioner's advice. Welsh Ministers must consult independent experts / other appropriate persons and have regard to various international instruments, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Section 14

Section 14 describes the strategy's effect. Public bodies must have regard to the food strategy when exercising functions related to food goals and targets.

Section 15

Section 15 requires the Welsh Ministers to report on the effectiveness of the national food strategy ('as soon as practicable' two years after the strategy is published).

Section 16

Section 16 requires the Welsh Ministers to review the national food strategy every five years and revise it as they consider appropriate.

Section 17

Section 17 requires each public body (local authorities and local health boards but not the Welsh Ministers) to make a local food plan within two years of this section coming into force (which is three months after Royal Assent).

Section 18

Section 18 establishes the process for making local food plans. The public bodies may consult with the Welsh Food Commission, the Future Generations Commissioner and other appropriate persons and must have regard to the national food strategy.

Section 19

Section 19 requires public bodies to have regard to their local food plan when exercising functions related to the food goals and targets.

Section 20

Section 20 requires public bodies to report on the effectiveness of their local food plan ('as soon as practicable' two years after the local plans are published).

Section 21

Section 21 requires public bodies to review their local food plans every five years, and to revise them as they consider appropriate.

Section 22

Section 22 defines 'public body' as the Welsh Ministers, local authorities and local health boards. The Welsh Ministers can amend this list following consultation with the Welsh Food Commission and other appropriate persons, but cannot remove themselves. Additions must exercise "functions of a public nature".

Section 23

Section 23 confirms the regulation making powers are exercisable by statutory instrument, using the affirmative procedure.

Section 24

Sections 24 provides interpretation of terms within the Bill.

Section 25

Section 25 provides commencement (three months following Royal Assent).

Section 26

Section 26 provides the short title of the Bill.

Article by Dr Katy Orford, Senedd Research, Welsh Parliament

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