Labour hopes to heal rift with farmers with public sector food targets

<p>Hospitals, schools and prisons to be given food welfare targets that should benefit British growers</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/23/real-anger-labour-can-expect-hostile-reception-at-farmers-annual-gathering">Labour can expect hostile reception at farmers’ gathering</a></li></ul><p>Hospitals, schools and prisons are to be urged to buy more British food, as part of a government push to heal a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/23/real-anger-labour-can-expect-hostile-reception-at-farmers-annual-gathering">rift with farmers</a> over changes to inheritance tax.</p><p>The environment secretary, Steve Reed, will tell the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) annual conference on Tuesday that the public sector is to be set a target of sourcing at least half of all food from farms with the highest welfare standards, which should benefit British growers and food producers.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/23/labour-hopes-to-heal-rift-with-farmers-with-public-sector-food-targets">Continue reading...</a>