THE food industry and its related transport problems in the Vale of Evesham came under the spotlight at a forum organised by the Country Land and Business Association.

A Modern Food Industry - a Place in the Countryside was set up last Friday to allow David Fursdon, deputy president of the CLA, a first-hand look at the industry and for representatives of the industry and Wychavon District Council to explain their positions.

Mr Fursdon first visited Kanes Foods premises at Vale Park, Evesham, and then went on to the company's headquarters at Middle Littleton.

There Jack Hegarty, managing director of the district council, and Audrey Steele, executive board member for planning policy and rural affairs and chairman of the agriculture and food distribution policy panel, gave an update on the Vale's agriculture and food distribution policy.

Mr Hegarty said: "The primary players have given us problems. They need to have modern state-of-the-art premises but they are often historically on unsuitable sites."

Dr Charles Trotman, CLA rural economy adviser, speaking on the CLA Food Chain Initiative, said: "The consumer needs to be educated about the importance of food production in the countryside. Without it there is going to be problems. The government and the industry must be able to guarantee the labelling of food with its origins, stressing the link between local food and the health of the public."

Nigel Smith, managing director of Kanes Foods, said: "We believe we are being responsible and where possible minimising the adverse impact our activities have on the local community."

He explained that in addition to using the premises at Vale Park to cut down on lorry movements they had built a £2.5m facility in Spain which allowed them to leave waste from salads preparation behind, again cutting down on transport in the Vale. They were also encouraging Vale growers to do more preparation in the fields to cut down unnecessary transport.

He pointed out: "Our company alone is putting £26m into the local economy."

Afterwards Mr Fursdon said: "This visit has been a really informative experience."