Food strategy broadly welcomed as industry seeks delivery timeline
More industry bodies from across the UK meat and food sectors have commented on the contents of the Government Food Strategy White Paper, with the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) providing a mixed response to planned workforce reviews.
The government’s new Food Strategy is based on the recommendations of the National Food Strategy, published by Henry Dimbleby in two separate parts over the last two years.
Amongst its other recommendations, the report noted that government will commission an independent review to assess and ensure the quantity and quality of the food sector workforce. The review will seek to encompass the roles of automation, domestic employment and migration routes.
More action needed
The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) said it was clear that the government “recognised how important and integral food producers and manufacturers are to the UK’s food security, its natural environment and the health of its citizens.”
It said: “Britain’s food security relies heavily on having a geographically spread workforce of people with the right skills to keep the food supply chain moving. But the sector is currently experiencing a critical labour shortage, which has been worsening over time and has been well documented.”
BMPA addressed the two reviews to assess food sector workforce issues, detailed in the Strategy.
Chief executive of the BMPA Nick Allen said: “Much of what will be uncovered will be the same information as in previous reviews, with the added problem that even more UK workers have chosen to step away from the jobs market since the pandemic.
“We already have enough evidence to demonstrate that immigration policy must change to enable the food sector to source the workers it needs. This is particularly important for those parts of the food industry that appeal the least to British workers and for which the seasonal worker visas are not suitable.”
“Instead, the strategy is packed with announcements of various calls for evidence, enquiries, consultations and future trials, which will inevitably result in delays to implementation.”
Allen added that while the white paper contains “many good ambitions and visions for the future”, there is “very little in the way of explanation of just how these will be achieved.” He explained: “Instead, the strategy is packed with announcements of various calls for evidence, enquiries, consultations and future trials, which will inevitably result in delays to implementation.”
Scope for development
Chief executive of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) Tim Rycroft said that the Strategy acknowledged the “pivotal economic role” that the agri-food industry plays. He said that farmers would welcome measures announced to boost domestic productivity and relieve workforce shortages in the food supply chain.
Rycroft also welcomed the support for food education in schools and ambition to build “a strong food curriculum”. He said: “Ensuring consumers of the future are well informed is critical to a thriving industry.”
He added: “While there will be some concerns that the government has not yet moved further to ensure that trade deals promote fair competition and opportunities on both sides, the strategy acknowledges government’s partnership with AHDB to open and develop a number of Asian markets, as well as Canada and the US.”
IMTA CEO Katie Doherty said: “IMTA welcomes the Strategy and looks forward to continuing to work with the government to shape the UK food system, noting that the report states it is the beginning of a conversation.
“The focus on two-way trade is particularly welcome. Two-way trade is vital for ensuring consumer choice, food security and carcase balance in the UK.
“I was pleased to see the commitment to ensuring British firms have access to export opportunities, which builds on the Conservative Manifesto commitment in 2019 to redouble efforts on export market access. The commitment to opening new markets via FTAs is appreciated, but focus should also be placed on veterinary market access. Without the relevant export health certification, tariff liberalisations through FTAs are not able to be used by UK exporters.”
A clear milestone
NFU president Minette Batters said: “The National Food Strategy represents a clear milestone with the government recognising the importance of domestic food production, maintaining our productive capacity and growing more food in this country, particularly at a time when the war in Ukraine has focused attention on the importance and fragility of our global food security.”
Batters said that food production would “always be core to a nation’s resilience” and she was pleased the government had recognised this within the Strategy. She continued: “Domestic food production and environmental delivery go hand-in-hand and we are proud that British farmers have an ambition to reach net zero by 2040, while still maintaining our current levels of food production.”
She added, however, that the industry needs to see the Strategy “develop into clear delivery and investment to capitalise on the benefits food and farming delivers for the country, such as our world-leading standards of animal welfare, environmental protection and food safety.”
NPA demands more from supply chain and government
Meat industry reacts to Government Food Strategy
