Government Support to Regional Food Producers: An Assessment of England's Regional Food Strategy

Abstract

The rationale for, and impact of, government support to regional food producers is investigated through a case study of England's Regional Food Strategy (RFS). The headline target for the RFS is to increase the turnover of the quality regional food sector by 25% over a five-year period. The RFS also seeks to propagate wider benefits such as local economic development and aiding farms to shift to more environmentally friendly methods. The analysis indicates that the headline target is likely to be met comfortably. Producers that have received support under the RFS have performed better than nonbeneficiaries and positive assessments of the business training and advice received are recorded. However, the purported linkages with wider benefits are difficult to establish. Trade-offs between the competitiveness agenda of stimulating growth and meeting some wider policy goals are apparent.