Tim Lang asks what priorities the new Council of Food Policy Advisors should have.
With capitalist international finance in turmoil, it’s timely to remind even bankers that food is one of life’s necessities. On Thursday, World Food Day, the UNFAO highlighted the state of food globally: rising malnutrition, huge problems ahead. But what about Britain?
Slowly, politicians are getting the message that business as usual or the Treasury/Defra policy position of ‘leaving it to the markets’ may not pass the laugh test. Even giant food companies cannot control climate change, water or reliance on oil.
So it was good to hear Hilary Benn announce a new Council of Food Policy Advisors at last week’s Chatham House food security conference. I have called for such a body, so I cheered. But what are its terms of reference, membership, influence? Defra says the council will “cover food production, supplies, prices, distribution, consumption, and related aspects of food policy”, and feed into the PM’s new Council of Economic Advisors. Following the Cabinet Office’s Food Matters strategy report in July, Defra initiated a food security discussion and is clarifying indicators. Worthy, but not grasping the nettle. In a shrinking world, do we allow UK production to keep dropping?
My agenda for the new council is, firstly, to assess current production by sector, vulnerability and longest lead times. At less than 10% of UK consumption (too low), fruit clearly needs boosting; vegetables too.
Secondly, we need detailed policy direction. We need to emulate the French and US and unashamedly build capacity where appropriate. Food Matters suggested aiming for a low-carbon but healthy food system. This needs to be fleshed out.
Thirdly, a new UK engagement with the EU is required, to shift from the Common Agricultural Policy to a Common Sustainable Food Policy. As the new Surrey University report shows, meat and dairy are high-carbon, low-health, high-water. But are they unsustainable everywhere?
Fourthly, we need a big push on labour and skills, not least to cut waste. Eco-technologies off the farm, such as sustainable agriculture, require re-skilled labour forces. Colleges and universities should be regional hubs for that task.
Finally, this is a chance to involve consumers. The council should explore mass public behaviour change. That means helping, not hectoring, people.
Tim Lang is professor of food policy at City University.
With capitalist international finance in turmoil, it’s timely to remind even bankers that food is one of life’s necessities. On Thursday, World Food Day, the UNFAO highlighted the state of food globally: rising malnutrition, huge problems ahead. But what about Britain?
Slowly, politicians are getting the message that business as usual or the Treasury/Defra policy position of ‘leaving it to the markets’ may not pass the laugh test. Even giant food companies cannot control climate change, water or reliance on oil.
So it was good to hear Hilary Benn announce a new Council of Food Policy Advisors at last week’s Chatham House food security conference. I have called for such a body, so I cheered. But what are its terms of reference, membership, influence? Defra says the council will “cover food production, supplies, prices, distribution, consumption, and related aspects of food policy”, and feed into the PM’s new Council of Economic Advisors. Following the Cabinet Office’s Food Matters strategy report in July, Defra initiated a food security discussion and is clarifying indicators. Worthy, but not grasping the nettle. In a shrinking world, do we allow UK production to keep dropping?
My agenda for the new council is, firstly, to assess current production by sector, vulnerability and longest lead times. At less than 10% of UK consumption (too low), fruit clearly needs boosting; vegetables too.
Secondly, we need detailed policy direction. We need to emulate the French and US and unashamedly build capacity where appropriate. Food Matters suggested aiming for a low-carbon but healthy food system. This needs to be fleshed out.
Thirdly, a new UK engagement with the EU is required, to shift from the Common Agricultural Policy to a Common Sustainable Food Policy. As the new Surrey University report shows, meat and dairy are high-carbon, low-health, high-water. But are they unsustainable everywhere?
Fourthly, we need a big push on labour and skills, not least to cut waste. Eco-technologies off the farm, such as sustainable agriculture, require re-skilled labour forces. Colleges and universities should be regional hubs for that task.
Finally, this is a chance to involve consumers. The council should explore mass public behaviour change. That means helping, not hectoring, people.
Tim Lang is professor of food policy at City University.
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