Horticulture adviser Lee Abbey explains why raising the issue of problems in the supply chain was timely at a cross sector event for the food, drink, health and nutrition industries.
He writes:
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It came just after the launch of the follow up report – Catalyst Revisited – so this was a chance to engage with professionals from the food and drink industry, nutrition and health who were there to address one of the most important challenges of our time: the relationship between food, health, nutrition and their connections with the environment, population health and wellbeing.
Taking place in London’s Excel exhibition centre, the event was filled with innovative, forward thinking companies and individuals all in one place, showcasing new products and initiatives to satisfy the growing demand for healthy and convenient food. Furthermore, the wide ranging and well attended seminars demonstrated the enthusiasm there is in the UK to deliver a healthier and more sustainable supply chain.
And it was this which was the focus of my speech, part of a seminar called Sustainable Retailing, with Brian Smith from Mintec, Allan Forrester from Univeg and Ciara Gorst from Co-Op. While there was a clear environmental sustainability focus from some of the other speakers, I focussed on commercial sustainability and the need for retailers to get behind British growers.
Talking about Catalyst Revisited, I highlighted the startling reality that growers are being squeezed harder than ever; causing a lack of investment, falling production and record levels of imports. Though practices relative to GSCOP have, on the whole, improved, retailers are driving down prices so hard that many growers are struggling to make any margin.
If consumers are to continue to get the British produce they demand, I explained, this situation cannot go on. And if the reaction of the audience was to go by, there really is an appetite across the industry to make sure that the UK food supply chain has a long term, sustainable future.