01/10 Ensuring
food security is just as important to Britain’s future as energy
supply, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Hilary Benn told delegates at the Oxford Farming Conference today
as he unveiled the Government’s food strategy, Food 2030.
Farming and food businesses contribute more than £80 billion to
the economy and represent the UK’s largest manufacturing sector,
employing 3.6 million people.
The Food Strategy sets out the challenges facing Britain in
maintaining a secure food supply at a time of rapid population
growth and climate change, and following the big price increases
seen in 2008 following droughts and the rise in the price of oil.
Mr Benn said:
“Food security is as important to this country’s future wellbeing
– and the world’s - as energy security.
We need to produce more food. We need to do it sustainably. And
we need to make sure that what we eat safeguards our health.
“We know that the consequences of the way we produce and consume
our food are unsustainable to our planet and to ourselves. There
are challenges for everyone involved in the food system, from
production right through to managing food waste.”
“We know we are at one of those moments in our history where the
future of our economy, our environment, and our society will be
shaped by the choices we make now.”
Mr. Benn said that people power can help bring about a revolution
in the way food is produced and sold, and that food businesses,
including supermarkets and food manufacturers, would follow
consumer demand for food that is local, healthy and has been
produced with a smaller environmental footprint – just as
consumers have pushed the rapid expansion of Fairtrade products
and free range eggs over the last decade.
“A decade ago, only 16 per cent of eggs produced in the UK were
free range. In the last ten years that’s more than doubled to just
under 40 per cent. Waitrose, M&S and the Co-op now sell
only free range or organic eggs. And with the UK 80 per cent
self-sufficient in free-range eggs this is a great example of how
our farmers have responded to what consumers want, to the benefit
of both.”
He also said that government and food businesses needed to
support consumers by providing more accurate information about the
origin and nutritional content of the food they buy, and called on
all retailers to sign up to the Pigmeat Labelling Code of
Practice, due to be published next month.
Mr. Benn continued:
“We do want to know about where and how our food is produced.
Beef is already labelled by country of origin. So is poultry. Lamb
is pretty well labelled. On pork, the Pig Meat taskforce we set up
has agreed a code of practice on labelling. I expect all our
retailers to sign up to it when it’s published.”
The food strategy sets out goals for 2030, and the changes that
need to be made to achieve them, including:
· Farmers producing efficiently, sustainably and safely to high
standards of animal welfare, with food production supporting our
rural communities and contributing to UK and global food security.
· Farmers and fishermen producing more with fewer resources and
fewer carbon emissions, with investment in the right skills.
· An innovative, competitive, skilled and resilient food sector,
supported by first class scientific research and development, with
sustainable supply chains..
· Informed consumers able to choose and afford healthy food,
supported by better labelling and information.
· Government support for partnerships, funding of research,
regulating where necessary and cutting red tape where possible,
leading by example through public food procurement, and
campaigning for change in Europe and globally.
Note to Editors
1. The Government’s food strategy, Food 2030, can be
found at:
www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/strategy/.
Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 5608
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Tim Dunford
Phone: 020 7238 6001
tim.dunford@defra.gsi.gov.uk