We are urgently developing research requirements with other European laboratories to make sure we understand and the disease (Schmallenberg) better.Mixed reaction for landmark food strategy
THE Government’s landmark food strategy, ‘Food 2030’ has received a mixed reaction as industry leaders called for firm policies to back up its ambitious aims to safeguard food security.
The report as widely welcomed by the NFU, which congratulated Defra on its willingness to work with farmers to develop its policies.
Responding to the report’s launch at the Oxford Farming Conference today (Tuesday, January 5) NFU president Peter Kendall said: “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.”
Food Ethics Council executive director Tom Macmillan applauded Defra’s intentions, but said it would be policy, and not words which ill make a real difference.
Executive Director, Food Ethics Council: “The government’s vision for a sustainable and healthy future will have wide appeal, but the ways it hopes to get there aren’t up to the job.
“There’s a lot about helping the market and consumers to be more efficient, but not much about people, power or politics.”
The Soil Association meanwhile welcomed the report but said consumers were increasingly ‘confused’ by the messages put out by Government.
Emma Hockridge, Soil Association policy manager, said: “Consumers are feeling increasingly confused by the proliferation of diet-related advice doled out by Government Departments.
“The current debate about meat encapsulates this. Whilst it is right that we need to eat less meat overall to achieve sustainable food production, red meat, as long as it is from grass-fed livestock, has a critical role to play in minimising carbon emissions from farming.”
