Food Strategy Update

What is it?

A Government initiative to deliver a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient food system. It aims to do that by working across Government and with industry to impact how food is produced and consumed in the UK. Food has an impact across a range of policy areas from nutrition to environment, meaning an effective strategy can make a difference to health, sustainability, growth and development.

What has happened so far?

Since announcing its intention to develop a strategy earlier this year, Defra has been working with industry, academics and NGOs to agree its objectives and outcomes. A number of members participated in workshops to input their views on transforming the UK food system and Simon Roberts, CEO of J Sainsbury’s has also set on the Advisory Board chaired by Minister Zeichner.

The Government published its initial report, with high level ambitions and outcomes in July, you can read it here . It set out 10 outcomes the strategy should deliver, split into 4 broad areas listed below.

Healthier and more affordable food  

1. An improved food environment that supports healthier and more environmentally sustainable food sales   
2. Access for all to safe, affordable, healthy, convenient and appealing food options  

Good growth  

1. Conditions for the food sector to thrive and grow sustainably, including investment in innovation and productivity, and fairer more transparent supply chains  
2. Food sector attracts talent and develops skilled workforce in every region  

Sustainable and resilient supply  

1. Food supply is environmentally sustainable with high animal welfare standards, and waste is reduced  
2. Trade supports environmentally sustainable growth, upholds British standards and expands export opportunities  
3. Resilient domestic production for a secure supply of healthier food  
4. Greater preparedness for supply chain shocks, disruption, and impacts of chronic risks  

Vibrant food cultures  

1. Celebrated and valued UK, regional and local food cultures  
2. People are more connected to their local food systems, and have the confidence, knowledge and skills to cook and eat healthily  

Collectively, these would deliver the vision of an improved food system.

What are the next steps?

The Government will engage more specifically around the 10 outcomes to agree what change is required, including Government intervention as well as industry commitments, to deliver them. Once it has more detail on what is required it aims to publish a White Paper in 2026 for detailed consultation.

To date, the only significant detailed intervention the Government has committed to is on nutrition and health. The Health Secretary, as part of the strategy, has announced they will introduce mandatory reporting for all food businesses on their healthy food sales, a review of the nutrient profiling model (NPM) and ambitions to reduce unhealthy sales in communities. We expect new legislation on mandatory sales reporting to be introduced by the end of this Parliament.

What are the BRC doing to influence the strategy?

We are closely with Defra and key industry representatives such as NFU, FDF and UKH to ensure an effective, co-ordinated strategy. We agreed with members earlier this year the key components of a strategy which is the basis for our discussion.

·       Clear objectives for the strategy. This includes understanding what is meant by a better food system, and how sometimes conflicting objectives such as environment and animal welfare are agreed. We also need Government support to monitor and support progress.

·       Clear prioritisation. There are some issues, such as support for UK farmers to ensure their economic sustainability to deliver significant environmental improvements, which require immediate attention. Also retailers are facing into multiple changes, such as the new circular economy taskforce so we have asked Government to prioritise delivery.

·       Co-ordination across Government. Food policy is influenced by a number of departments and across the 4 UK Governments, so it is essential it co-ordinates implementation to ensure retailers can focus on priorities. We have already seen a response to this through the cross Cabinet Committee chaired by the Defra Secretary and the alignment with the other UK Governments on outcomes.

·       Coverage of the strategy. To be effective the strategy needs to engage all food businesses and all communities. In the past piecemeal strategies have tended to be focused only on large retailers, which in itself will not deliver the ambition the Government has set.

·       Voluntary and regulation. Whilst much of the strategy can be implemented through voluntary approaches, there are times, due to competition and a need not to penalise more progressive businesses, where regulation may be required to ensure all food businesses play their role. However, we recognise regulation needs to be tailored for different sectors both in its application and implementation.

We will continue to make these points in our discussions with Government. We are particularly keen to ensure development and growth of UK sustainable food production is a priority for the strategy, alongside other issues such as health and environment. As well as our own input we will help co-ordinate member discussions to ensure our views are represented in the final detail of the White Paper.

We will also work closely with Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) on the detail of mandatory health reporting and the review of the NPM. Much of that work will be with our Nutrition Working Group so make sure you are represented in those discussions.