The government has today announced that it is set to launch its new Food Strategy Advisory Board with food system leaders next week.
The board will advise the government on a national food strategy as part of its ‘Plan for Change’. It will meet monthly and will be chaired by Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, Daniel Zeichner.
The government has said it wants to develop a clear vision and framework for change, and has said growth will be at the heart of its strategy, alongside goals on better access to healthy food, building resilience to climate and geopolitical change, and environmental delivery.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw warned that, without profitable farming businesses, it will be difficult for the strategy to realise these other goals.
"The NFU’s recently launched Blueprints for Growth provide key policy solutions that will support these missions," he said.
Restoring confidence in British food production
Tom said the primary focus of the strategy and the board needs to be “economic growth”, warning that without this, businesses the length of the supply chain, including farms, “will be unable to focus on the other themes outlined for the strategy”.
“Right now, the challenges facing primary producers are severe,” Tom said, adding that farmers are grappling with a multitude of challenges including inheritance tax bills many will be unable to pay, uncertainty over environmental schemes, drastic cuts to direct payments, and rising National Insurance costs.
“We look forward to engaging with the food strategy to drive meaningful progress and build back growth in the industry.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Tom added: “Ministers say they want to restore pride in British food.
“I am more interested in restoring confidence in British food production. Our Blueprints for Growth set out a clear vision for building sustainable, profitable farm businesses – ensuring food production for 70 million people, protecting the countryside, and helping ministers achieve their policy goals.
“It’s a win-win.”
Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said: “By bringing together expertise from across the food chain, this new Advisory Board will help us build a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system for everyone.”
First-hand insight into farming
Farmer Sam Godfrey will sit on the board, alongside senior leaders from across the food system. On his appointment, Sam said he hopes to ensure “a pragmatic approach is taken that accommodates the needs of agriculture within the broader aims of the strategy”.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said Sam “will bring his valuable experience of representing the sector previously and will offer essential first-hand insight into the realities of farming in these uncertain times”.
The government has said it has also held the first meeting of a new Ministerial Food Strategy Group, chaired by the Defra Secretary, to provide leadership to drive the food strategy agenda.
The NFU will be engaging directly with the government and through its longstanding involvement in the F4 group alongside the other key supply chain trade bodies.
“We look forward to engaging with the food strategy to drive meaningful progress and build back growth in the industry,” Tom added.
