The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a new food strategy policy which aims to create a healthier, more affordable, sustainable, and resilient food system in England.
The policy, published on Wednesday July 16, is designed to align with the Northern Ireland Food Strategy Framework, Scotland National Good Food Nation Plan, and Food Matters: Wales.
The government noted how the food system is complex, and affects every single person in the UK, which led Defra to involve over 400 people from across the sector to create the plan.
Defra also acknowledged how the food system is not only impacted by policies directly related to food, but also many ancillary policy issues, including trade, health, poverty reduction, wider business and tax policies, and energy, water and the environment.
The department stated that food security has been affected by inflation in recent years, as the food system delivers its premium products to a growing population.
Defra’s key objective with this food strategy is to deliver a more clear and coordinated approach to food issues in line with other government strategies.
Strategy
The new strategy aims to deliver “a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient 21st century UK food system”.
The system should grow the economy, feed the nation, protect the environment and climate, all while developing a strong sense of pride in UK produce.
Defra aims to improve food security and resilience, following a 36% rise in food price between January 2021 and April 2025.
A strong focus has been put on environment, as agriculture emits 38% of the UK’s greenhouse gases (GHG), and takes up 69% of the UK’s land, affecting ecosystems if not farmed correctly.
Defra have also put a focus on health in the document, promoting good food as the UK’s obesity rate in adults surpassed 64% of the population in 2022.
The high obesity rates are linked what has been identified as the ‘junk food cycle’ by experts, a series of feedback loops driving diet related ill-health.as people buy processed food rather than healthy alternatives.
Defra said: “Transforming the food system is a major change that will require a long-term programme of work to deliver changes that will, over time, transform the system.”
Red Tractor
Red Tractor chief executive officer (CEO), Jim Moseley said: “Red Tractor is very supportive of a comprehensive food strategy for the UK that supports local food systems, domestic production and upholds British standards.
Mosely expressed his desire to continue working with Defra to ensure the strategy is delivered in an understanding way.
The Red Tractor CEO said: “Over the past 25 years, industry-wide efforts to ensure the safety, traceability, and standards of production of British food have regained the trust of UK consumers.
“This new strategy must build on that collective effort by backing British farmers, connecting entire supply chains, and making sure standards are not undermined by foreign food imports.”
