A LEADING rural business organisation plans to give the Government food for thought.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) plans to highlight the benefits of buying locally-produced food at the Labour Party's first Rural Conference.

The conference, to be held at Harper Adams University College, near Newport in Shropshire, from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, July 21, will look at issues facing rural communities, including agriculture, employment, transport, housing, health, education and crime.

"The CLA feels strongly that food producers should re-connect with their local markets," said Caroline Bedell, CLA regional surveyor, who will be attending the conference.

"Examples of this are the rise in popularity of farm shops and markets, farm assured products and also the development of distinctive regional products and branding.

"We welcome the Labour Party's initiative of holding a conference focused on rural affairs, as we have become increasingly concerned about the emergence of a rural-urban divide."

She said the CLA, which represents almost 2,000 rural businesses in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, was delighted to participate in the conference.

"We are also sponsoring the conference dinner, and we have given the organisers details of local suppliers, so that this event may be used to highlight the benefits of sourcing good quality food that is produced in this region."