Sílvia Sousa Silva, a Socialist Party deputy in the Madeira Regional Legislative Assembly, has called for a regional food strategy covering the whole chain, from production to consumption. The call comes as more than 60% of the island's population is overweight or obese.
The remarks were made at the PS Parliamentary Days, themed "Health Without Barriers". Nutritionist Diana Silva, president of the regional branch of the Portuguese Order of Nutritionists, criticised the ratio of one nutritionist per 12,000 inhabitants and urged more such professionals in the regional health service.
The party proposes that school canteen and other public catering tenders include health and environmental criteria, favouring fresh, seasonal and local produce. It also suggests using simplified public procurement to bring small regional farmers into supply contracts.