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Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne Liberal Democrat Candidate for the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich ConstituencyCampaigning news |
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Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne Liberal Democrat Candidate for the Central Suffolk and North Ipswich Constituency <info@csnilibdems.org.uk>
Liberal Democrats back rural enterprise
August 23, 2008 12:00 PM
Andrew Aalders-Dunthorne, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich is backing calls for the expansion of farmers' markets and support for rural community shops across the constituency. The total UK grocery market is worth £128.2bn of which 75% is controlled by the big four supermarkets.
Andrew stressed that he wasn't opposed to supermarkets as they have provided an important service, diversity of choice, improved cleanliness and pressure to bring prices down for the customer. What is concerning is that the proportion of market controlled by the big four is titling the balance too much away from the rural producer and consumer.
"Since 1997 fifty specialised stores, butchers and fishmongers in particular have closed every week across the UK, and at least 15% of rural communities have experienced closure of their last village store." commented Andrew.
Andrew, who has a degree in Environmental Biology, is calling for the Government and for local Councils to develop the environment to encourage the expansion of rural shops and farmers markets. He stated "it makes both social and environmental sense to encourage people to produce and shop locally whenever possible."
Peter Paccagini who runs the Royal Oak Pub in Laxfield, wants to develop a community market on his pub forecourt, to encourage the direct selling of locally produced food to the people of Laxfield.
Mr Paccagini commented "As a village pub that tries to utilise local produce as much as possible, we feel it is important that local producers have an outlet to sell their produce directly to the community. In the short time we have been in Laxfield we have found many skilled producers and wish to provide them with an opportunity to sell direct to the community. Our community market will run on the last Saturday of the month with the proceeds from the pitches going back to the Parish church. "
The Liberal Democrats support the Sustainable Community Bill which gives communities and councils greater powers to support local shops and the local economy including the provision of farmers' markets.
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