Food 2030: Balanced delivery will be the key to success

The NFU has said that Defra’s new food policy’Food 2030’being launched at the Oxford Farming Conference offers a useful blueprint for the future of the UK’s food system but that care is needed as Government moves to deliver its strategy.

NFU President Peter Kendall said:"This vision demonstrates that Defra has grasped the complex issues that are in play when developing a joined up food policy and that it will provide much-needed leadership on food policy.

"The whole food supply chain and Government will need to work together to optimise productivity within an increasingly competitive framework if we are to improve the sustainability of the sector at the same time. This Vision clearly sets out many of the challenges that the food system faces and indicates a number of possible solutions which farmers and growers will want to scrutinise as they think through the long-term direction of their businesses.

"Having identified the core issues for the food system, Government will need to achieve the right balance between them as it moves to delivery. Farmers and growers are already demonstrating that they can produce more food while impacting less. What we now need are policies that underpin and enhance a productive agriculture sector.

"The fact that Government wants to deliver its vision for food in partnership with industry and build on existing work in progress is good news. However, the need to base decisions on sound science, particularly where food production is concerned, has never been greater."