There have been umpteen occasions, during recent years when visitors to these shores would have been forgiven for believing that the heir to the throne was as much a part of the food chain as the president of the IGD or Asda's latest store greeter. And while disagreeing with some of his utterings about matters GM, when it comes to more general food issues I believe he often talks sound sense. Thus his contributions to sector unity and the survival of rural food suppliers have been timely and entirely appropriate. And if, to serious broadsheet cynics, that sounds as if I'm sucking up to royalty, I make no apologies. But of all HRH's exhortations to the chain, this week's speech at the launch of the Business in the Community/IGD Guide to Growing Rural Business was surely the one which should be heeded most. When he spoke up for the suppliers in the shires, the Prince was standing alongside powerful allies, namely the IGD, the FDF and, encouragingly, a few multiple leading lights. But he got straight to the point by singling out the grocery buyer as the catalyst for increasing the level of local sourcing in the UK food business. Some chains do "think local". But I've lost count of the seminars where others have preached that same gospel, only for their practices to be very different. The problem has been that it can it be a logistical ­ not to mention seriously expensive ­ nightmare to effect systems which allow worthwhile distribution from small, locally-based operators. But recently, thanks to the efforts of groups like Food from Britain, the IGD and a growing band of deep thinking, entrepreneurial producers, the UK's domestic speciality foods supply base has become much more viable. As guests at Monday's launch were told, good communication, honesty and commitment can forge strong new local arrangements. Narrow-sighted sceptics among Britain's powerful band of buyers would do well to heed the words of the Prince of Wales. Clive Beddall, Editor {{OPINION }}

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