A think tank has made a series of recommendations to improve food security in the UK.
Policy Exchange called on the government to develop a national food security strategy that encompasses the food ecosystem, including manufacturing, logistics and retail. The charity said previous food security initiatives had focused too narrowly on agriculture.
One recommendation is that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) should accelerate approvals for any product that has already been backed by the relevant regulator in both the EU and the US. This would allow faster approval of low-risk products and free up resources for other applications.
Another idea is for the FSA to introduce a paid fast track for market approval licences, with a reduced rate for SMEs. The money raised would be reinvested to improve the FSA’s capabilities and resources, ensuring a faster approval process for everyone, including those not using the fast-track route.
The approach during a crisis
DEFRA, the FSA and others should also create an emergency framework for major food supply crises, which includes exemptions for labeling changes. This would suspend specific regulations in emergency situations, such as when Russia invaded Ukraine. It would be subject to risk assessments and would not affect essential food safety information such as allergens. A pre-approved list of risk-assessed replacement goods could be agreed.
Other suggestions include revising the definition of novel foods to support the development of new products and food sources and reducing regulations on food suppliers’ ability to change their inputs during periods of geopolitical disruption. The example given was the switch between rapeseed oil and sunflower oil at the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine.
Policy Exchange heard from companies that the FSA was taking too long to approve regulatory applications and did not have sufficient resources to deliver the speed required.
The work, supported by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), highlighted events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine and their impact on food security.
Polling for FDF’s Policy Exchange shows that 53 percent of food and beverage manufacturers consider mitigating supply chain risks from natural disasters or geopolitical events to be a key concern for their business. The three most important actions they take are diversifying suppliers, adapting or simplifying supply chains and investing in product innovation. More than half of major suppliers are increasing their inventories, while 54 percent of SMEs are increasing the share of British inputs in their supply chain.
Report support
Britain imports about 40 percent of the food it consumes. The report’s authors said the view that Britain should be self-sufficient in food production was “an unrealistic target”.
Policy Exchange said a national food safety research center could be established to provide facilities such as food safety and allergen diagnostics and data science expertise.
“This report from Policy Exchange highlights the crucial importance of food production to both food security and the UK economy and the key role the sector plays in ensuring our food is safe, nutritious and affordable. This report sets out some practical recommendations for government, regulators, academics and businesses to work together to create a prosperous and safe food and farming sector,” said George Weston, CEO of Associated British Foods.
The UK Food Security Report is an analysis of relevant data. The next edition is expected to be published in 2024 and a section will be on food safety and consumer confidence, detailing food crime and safety issues. Policy Exchange said the report should be reformed to focus more on actions and results.
Fiona Kendrick, founding member of the Food and Drink Sector Council, said: “Our food system has proven efficient and resilient in recent years, maintaining UK food supplies through a range of major challenges including COVID-19, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and new trade arrangements by leaving the European Union. But against the backdrop of increased geopolitical instability and climate change, we cannot assume that our food system will always be able to withstand shocks.”
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