GOVERNMENT Ministers are looking at ways of buying more British meat and produce for hospitals, schools and other public bodies.

Margaret Beckett, Secretary of State at Defra, told the Oxford Farming Conference this week that ways were being sought to avoid contravening European competition rules.

And it is Northumberland farmer Sir Donald Curry who is in charge of looking at new local procurement contracts.

He said the Government must be more innovative in applying EU rules. Public bodies could stipulate in contracts that food must be "fresh", "just picked" or "seasonal."

Another method could be for companies to insist on "green" conditions which could mean organic or environmentally friendly farmed food, but it could equally cover local farms to avoid food travelling long distances.

Public bodies could be encouraged to get away from central procurement and distribution contracts by allowing local offices to buy their own food supplies. The smaller amounts required would also help local farms and suppliers.

Sir Don said a pilot scheme involving a local authority or matching farmers with specific schools or government offices is to be established.

Mrs Beckett pointed out that the Ministry of Defence was now buying much more British meat - 100pc British pork and 50pc beef - but still bought very little British lamb or chicken.

However Lord Haskins, Tony Blair's rural adviser and former chairman of Northern foods, said British food must be competitive in terms of quality, service and value.

It would be a nonsense to expect British taxpayers to pay up for anything less.

French agriculture minister, Herv Gaymard, feared the pace of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy was too fast and wanted a detailed impact assessment on each sector before decisions were made, but Mrs Beckett insisted that change must come