Agenda item

To consider the motion “Backing Dorset’s farmers and food producers” proposed by Cllr Byron Quayle.

Full Council received the following Notice of Motion proposed by B Quayle seconded by M Roberts and supported by N Lacey-Clarke, S Christopher, L O’Leary, S Jespersen, B Goringe, J Haynes, P Batstone, M Penfold, J Robinson, C Brooks, J Somper, C Jones, S Flower, A Parry, M Parkes, A Brenton, P Brown and B Ezzard.

Motion narrative:-

Dorset Council is committed to supporting local farmers and food producers. Britain has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and Dorset Council should engage and work in partnership with our poultry, arable and livestock farmers to ensure their ability to enhance our countryside and with our fishing industry to protect the oceans. We need to strive to support them by being sympathetic to diversification opportunities and promotion of local produce. We will be vocal in opposing excessive regulation by central government, enabling them to prosper. Keeping in mind our commitment to climate change, Dorset Council should, wherever possible, commit to ensuring food provided at all council events is sourced from local suppliers. This includes meat, fish, dairy and plant-based produce. Dorset Council should also encourage people, wherever possible, to shop locally, taking advantage of home-grown, affordable, and nutritious food, both plant and meat based, thus reducing the “food miles” on our plates.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.3 (a) the Notice of Motion, upon being proposed and seconded, was debated by Full Council. In proposing the Notice of Motion, N Lacey-Clarke asked that a recorded vote be undertaken. The Notice of Motion and request for a recorded vote was seconded by M Roberts and supported by over ten other councillors, in accordance with the Constitution.

As an amendment, it was proposed by K Clayton seconded by B Bawden that the following wording be removed from the wording of the Notice of Motion: ‘We will be vocal in opposing excessive regulation by central government, enabling them to prosper.’

The results are shown in the table below.

On being put to the vote the amendment was LOST.

A vote was taken on the original Notice of Motion.

The results are shown in the table below.

Decision

Dorset Council is committed to supporting local farmers and food producers. Britain has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world and Dorset Council should engage and work in partnership with our poultry, arable and livestock farmers to ensure their ability to enhance our countryside and with our fishing industry to protect the oceans. We need to strive to support them by being sympathetic to diversification opportunities and promotion of local produce. We will be vocal in opposing excessive regulation by central government, enabling them to prosper. Keeping in mind our commitment to climate change, Dorset Council should, wherever possible, commit to ensuring food provided at all council events is sourced from local suppliers. This includes meat, fish, dairy and plant-based produce. Dorset Council should also encourage people, wherever possible, to shop locally, taking advantage of home-grown, affordable, and nutritious food, both plant and meat based, thus reducing the “food miles” on our plates.