HES 37 - Undeb Amaethwyr (Saesneg yn unig)
Proposed Healthy Eating in Schools Measure Committee
Introduction
1.The Farmers’ Union of Wales is an independent body, which was established over 50 years ago to represent the interests and needs of farmers and growers in Wales at all levels of Government – in Wales, at Westminster, and in Europe. The Union devotes a considerable amount of time dealing with education issues, and has its own Agricultural Education and Training Committee, members of which have practical experience and knowledge of the subject and represent County Branches covering the whole of Wales.
2.The Farmers’ Union of Wales appreciates the establishment of the Committee to look at healthy eating in schools and welcomes the opportunity to contribute to its work. Following an internal consultation with its members, the Union submits the following comments on the issues raised in the document, for your information.
(1)Is there a need for an Assembly Measure to promote healthy eating in schools in view of existing initiatives within this policy area?
1.1The Union believes that whilst there is a range of existing initiatives promoting aspects of healthy eating in schools, there is a need for an overarching approach to healthy eating. The Assembly measure will help to implement, through regulation and positive encouragement, some of the policies contained within the Appetite for Life Action Plan.
1.2The Union believes that healthy eating in schools should be encouraged at every opportunity through innovative school meals as well as in the classroom.
(2)Do you support the key provisions set out in the proposed measure?
2.1The Union fully supports the key provisions set out in the measure, and trusts that the Welsh Assembly Government will ensure that the measure is implemented on a uniform basis across Wales, so that children from all areas are given the opportunity to make informed decisions about what they eat when they are at school.
The Duty of Welsh Ministers, governing bodies, head teachers and local education authorities to promote healthy eating in schools
2.2The Union believes that encouragement should be given to local education authorities to develop imaginative ways of promoting healthy eating that incur negligible costs. School Nutrition Action Groups, including children, staff, caterers and parents, could be encouraged to improve understanding of healthy eating.
2.3During our internal consultation, members emphasised the importance of educating the whole school about food and fluid requirements, the benefits of eating and preparing healthy meals, and sourcing of local/Welsh produce.
2.4Concern was also raised regarding the extra reporting responsibilities to be placed on head teachers and the implications of this in terms of increased paperwork and time.
Healthy eating should be part of the inspection regime and include the reporting requirements of the Welsh Minister, the Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales and governing bodies
2.5The Union believes that there is a need for very concise and personal monitoring within schools in order to accomplish the requirement in the measure and to reach the proposed goals.
Power of Welsh Ministers to specify nutritional standards, including the requirement to specify maximum levels of salt, sugar and artificial additives in food and drink provided for pupils on school premises
2.6The Union agrees that the Minister should specify nutritional standards of food provided on school premises, if there is to be regulation of the promotion of healthy foods.
2.7Nutritional standards and the promotion of healthy meals play a major role in this policy and the Union believes that Welsh Ministers, Governing bodies, head teachers and local education authorities, have a duty to evaluate current practice to provide baseline data and to report progress at every level.
2.8Some concern was raised that the measure does not detail the content of the food nor specify the quantities of ingredients such as fat, sugar, salt and artificial elements. Members also highlighted that nutritional standards should not outweigh the importance of a balanced diet.
2.9The Union would welcome the envisaged incremental approach to the introduction of healthy nutritional standards as an effective way of introducing healthy foods to schools.
Encouraging the take up of school meals and protection of the identity of those who receive them
2.10The Union welcomes a drive to encourage those who are eligible to take up free school meals.
2.11The Union agrees that identity protection should be mandatory for those receiving free school meals as there is often a perceived stigma attached to receiving free school meals.
2.12Members believe that if parents are made aware of the source of products and have confidence in their quality, then this in itself could increase the take up of school meals.
The duty of local education authorities to ensure the availability of drinking water for pupils
2.13The Union agrees that local education authorities should ensure that free drinking water is available for pupils, as evidence suggests that children perform better when they are well hydrated.
2.14The Union believes that the Welsh Assembly Government should ensure that this does not put constraints on existing education budgets.
(3)What are the practical implications of putting these provisions in place?
3.1As outlined above, it seems that there is a need for some flexibility in implementing the measure as there will be a variation between some schools and local education authorities in their current provisions.
3.2The Union trusts that each school is given the opportunity, support and funding to acquire additional staff to assist with implementing this measure.
(4)Are there further provisions that you would like to see added to the proposed Assembly Measure?
4.1During the Unions internal consultation some members asked why, if this measure corresponds to “Healthy Eating in Schools”, the issue of packed lunches has not been addressed. There was a strong feeling that this issue should fall under this category, with guidance given as to the ‘typical’ nutritional contents of a packed lunch, thus including and educating parents.
4.2The Union also believes that it is important to promote locally-produced food where possible and to ensure that children are given practical education and training in the food production process.
(5)Do you think the proposed Assembly Measure will achieve its overall purpose and aim, ie to enable a holistic, comprehensive, ‘Made in Wales’ policy on nutrition in schools to be developed and implemented?
5.1The Union agrees that the measure provides the basis of achieving its overall purpose and aim, providing schools are given adequate support and resources to implement the proposals. The Union also believes that if the Welsh Assembly Government is to adopt a ‘Made in Wales’ policy, it must adopt the practice of providing nutritious meals, with attention given to using locally-sourced produce wherever possible.
5.2Whatever proposals are taken towards achieving the measure, the Union trusts it will address and educate children and parents alike about their future health and welfare.
I trust that due consideration will be given to the preceding comments.
Yours sincerely
Samantha Britton
(Miss)
Policy Officer
