More funding is needed for a vital civil society food and farming sector, the Food Ethics Council has said today (6 March).
The Food Ethics Council has published the ‘Food issues census 2017’, which provides an assessment of the activities and capacity of civil society organisations (CSOs) working on food and farming in the UK.
The Council has said that taking the 'temperature' of food and farming related civil society organisations in 2016 is a 'timely opportunity' to assess how the landscape has changed.
The latest survey indicates that the challenges faced by the food system are getting worse. It says the sector’s response is not 'commensurate' with the scale and urgency of the challenges.
Findings include:
• Food poverty moved from 15th place in 2011 to 2nd in 2016 in terms of number of organisations working on the issue;
• However, food poverty was the issue that the largest number of respondents said needed more funding;
• 41% of respondents said the government was the biggest hindrance to addressing food and farming issues;
• The environment was the top motivation for the majority of CSOs who responded to the survey.
Uncertain economic times
The census reveals the dependence of the sector on EU funding (one in five civil society organisations working in food and farming relies on European Union funding), and the increasing constraints on third sector funders in uncertain economic times.
However, it also details a diverse sector populated with tens of thousands of volunteers and staff members, working on a wide range of issues, from food poverty to fish stocks, from sustainable farming to social inclusion.
Dan Crossley, executive director of the Food Ethics Council, and the report’s lead author said it is 'highly worrying' that the UK’s civil society sector is spending so little on food and farming issues.
He said: “At the same time, two of the key funding sources – public and third sector – are being squeezed by government cuts and an increase in grant applications.
“Food and farming affects us all, and as we negotiate our exit from the European Union, sustainable food production and consumption should be key issues. A properly funded civil society sector can make sure these topics are on the agenda. If it isn’t adequately funded, it will miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape food and farming policy for the better.”
The Food Ethics Council is an independent advisory body that advocates a food system that balances people and the environment.
