The Heather Trust

From Smith Gore's 'Landscope':

'The proportion of shoppers buying local food has doubled in the last five years (from 15% to 30%) and is expected to continue to rise. Shoppers buy it for three main reasons: freshness, to support local shops and producers and because they think it reduces food miles.'

I suggest that this is a very positive trend for those with an interest in livestock production from the uplands.  Why do we import beef from Bolivia, for example?  It cannot be for quality, welfare grounds, saving carbon, disease control ..... or any factors apart from price?  

I think it is time we were even more active in promoting the benefits of home grown produce: control of welfare issues, quality, traceability, consistency, providing income to home producers & retail outlets, conservation benefits, carbon reduction.....

Does anyone disagree?