UK 'unprepared' for most complex change to food system ever, report warns

The UK's food security and sustainability are now at stake, the report warns
The UK's food security and sustainability are now at stake, the report warns

The UK is unprepared for the most complex ever change to its food system, which will be required before Brexit, according to a new briefing paper.

The report, published by the University of Sussex, concludes that leaving the European Union poses serious risks to consumer interests, public health, businesses and workers in the food sector.

Its authors claim that this is because there is no Government vision for UK food or agriculture, yet prices, quality, supply and the environment will all be adversely affected even with a ‘soft’ Brexit.

They warn that British consumers have not been informed about the “enormous” implications for their food, a third of which comes from within the European Union.

The 88-page report, by leading food policy specialists, is the first major review of the ways leaving the EU will have an impact on UK food and farming.

Professor Lang from City, University of London said the UK's food security and sustainability are now at stake.

“A food system which has an estimated three to five days of stocks cannot just walk away from the EU, which provides us with 31 per cent of our food. Anyone who thinks that this will be simple is ill-informed,” Dr Lang explained.

'Less safe'

The report examines available industry and government data, policies and literature on a wide range of issues including production, farming, employment, quality, safety standards and the environment.

It highlights 16 key issues that must be addressed by the Government in its negotiations with the EU.

Professor Millstone, from the University of Sussex said: “In the EU, UK consumers and public health have benefited from EU-wide safety standards, without which there will be a risk of the UK having less safe and nutritious products.”

The report draws on more than 200 sources, including many interviews with senior figures across the food chain, as well as official, industry and scientific documents and statistics.

It warns that a “Food Brexit” is of unprecedented importance and is happening at a time when the UK food system is already vulnerable, with self-sufficiency also in decline.

The experts say their report is a wake-up call to the public and a Government that has little experience of food negotiations and has failed to warn consumers of the disruptions ahead.

The report makes detailed recommendations, and call on the public, civil society and academics to put pressure on Government and MPs.