The creation of a Food Chain Centre is one of the key recommendations in a major report delivered to government this week.
Farmers and the industry have been quick to welcome the idea, which has been put forward by the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food. It proposes that the centre brings together people from every part of the food chain including foodservice and that IGD acts as the centre's facilitator.
Sir Don Curry, who chaired the commission, said IGD was best placed to take on that role, denying that the organisation was not sufficiently independent. "We think it is ideal because it is not a trade body and has no axe to grind," he said.
DEFRA secretary Margaret Beckett said: "I thoroughly endorse the idea of a Food Chain Centre. Collaboration and co-operation are essential if we are to turn our aspirations into reality."
She said the government was ready to explore with IGD and other trade bodies such as the MLC how best to drive forward the idea. But Beckett would not be drawn on whether the government would be prepared to part fund the centre as the commission recommends.
Sir Don urged ministers to provide seedcorn money to ensure the centre was up and running as soon as possible.
The commission believes IGD can build on its expertise in supply chain collaboration projects to help "reconnect" the food chain.
Joanne Denney, IGD's chief executive, said: "We've been singled out because we've got a good track record and we've done a great deal of work on the ECR initiative. But if this is to have a chance of success, it needs a very focused approach, and we'll start by homing in on two areas meat and fresh produce."
She added: "On fresh meat, things are in good shape. We're heavily involved in this area through work with the MLC, NFU and DEFRA on the industry forum for red meat."
Denney said the centre would initially be based at IGD's headquarters to allow the cross-fertilisation of ideas and people. "I see this as a separate entity facilitated by IGD with a steering group, and potentially an independent chairman and a dedicated resource," she added.
Soil Association director Patrick Holden said the proposal for a Food Chain Centre was "quite controversial".
He added: "The food industry has not historically enjoyed the confidence of farmers. As well as that it has responsibility for addressing negative public perceptions of an industry which it is at the centre of."
However, the Commission says the Soil Association should work with the new Centre to draw up a strategy for organic food production.
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