Background
The Government, both Defra and the Cabinet Office has increased its focus on food resilience over recent months. However, a new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) is likely to provide further evidence of the need for it to move quicker. This has implications for members; whilst there is likely to be more resources required to work closer with Government to improve preparations to cope with disruption it will also ensure a greater focus on the support your businesses need in infrastructure and prioritisation to support your own planning to maintain good availability.
The BRC has been at the forefront of this work. We contributed to the NAO report and have been working with Government as it increases its resources and planning on food resilience. We will continue to co-ordinate the industry’s response to ensure your views are represented and changes to Government planning reflect your priorities.
What is in the NAO Report?
The report sets out the current situation.
· Resilience has been largely left to the private sector and whilst it has coped will with recent challenges, those challenges are increasing and Government support would make a difference
· Challenges from less stable global politics and increasing impact of climate change will increase the pressure on the UK’s supply resilience
· Reduced resilience has an impact on the economy, especially consumers through higher prices. This particularly impacts lower income households who spend a greater proportion of their income on food
· Whilst Government is increasing its resources and focus on food resilience it lacks a clear plan on how to deal with future issues. As part of that it is not working closely enough with retailers and other food businesses. Food supply is one of the national critical infrastructure themes but there is a lack of co-ordination across key government departments such as energy and transport. Finally, there is a question if Governemnt has sufficient legal powers to intervene in extreme circumstances.
It makes a number of recommendations to Government
· Prepare a clear assessment of risks and when and how it could intervene
· Ensure closer liaison with retailers and food businesses
· Assess the approach of other countries and adopt relevant initiatives
· Refine and clarify response plans, working with the food industry
· Improve household preparedness for challenges to availability
· Improve cross government working
· Identify key supply chain assets
What does this mean for your business?
The Government has already signaled there will be an increased focus on resilience. This report will reinforce this and provide more emphasis on interventions already underway.
Firstly, Defra’s resilience unit has been increased and will be engaging on several issues. Firstly, it is considering the vulnerability of key supply chains such as milk, bread and fresh meat. It will be discussing this with you and your suppliers this Autumn, to understand vulnerabilities and identify critical assets. It will also be conducting short term projects to identify the impact of specific risks, beginning with energy supply disruption.
Secondly, the Cabinet Office will launch a household preparedness campaign later this year. This will encourage households to carry 3 days of bottled water and ready to eat food at all times.
What is BRC doing about this?
We are working with Defra and the Cabinet Office to refine plans before they speak to you to ensure your priorities are reflected and the discussions maximise your practical input.
We will also use the NAO report and these discussions to call for food resilience to be given greater status in UK security planning and prioritise appropriate support for your businesses including how food supply chains are treated in energy and transport emergency plans.
Through our participation in Government initiatives such as Defra’s Farming and Food Partnership Board, we will continue to push for increased UK food production as a key element in securing our supply chains.
Finally, we will continue to provide media support, giving a measured view on food security, ensuring issues aren’t ignored but reassuring customers on availability.
