Retailers Expect ‘pie In The Sky’ Food Policy

Mr Benn is expected to address the intensive and unsustainable production behind our £80 billion UK food sector (the largest manufacturing sector) with the suggestion of increasing ‘consumer purchasing power’.

By educating shoppers to buy local, healthy food, the Government argues that the market can be ‘reframed’ and will ultimately ‘ensure secure and healthy food supplies in the decades ahead’. 

Woefully vague, it’s agitated the 3.6 million people employed in the sector and refuelled a debate that farmers, producers and retailers have been talking about, in earnest, for years.

“Food 2030 will need to do more than merely acknowledge shortages, cost hikes and talk about consumer education, if it is to gain any respect from the industry,” said Rob Myers, owner of Myers Deli, Lincolnshire.

Indeed, on Radio 4’s Today programme, earlier this morning, Mr Benn was quizzed about how consumers can realistically be the ‘driving force’ to buying locally when supermarkets are free to import cheaper foods from elsewhere.

In a time of economic uneasiness, won’t cost be the deciding factor?

Presenter, John Humphry’s referred to it as ‘Pie in the Sky’ thinking, to which Mr Benn’s answer was, essentially, ‘education’.

Independents have been quick to question it’s feasibility, arguing it’s an ancient and inadequate solution.

“For smaller independent businesses this is just the same old story: generalisations and old targets. We’ve beeng talking to our consumers for years, but the Governemnt has to be realistic enough to appreciate that ultimately, money talks. Yes we need to get everyone supporting their local shops and producers, but to change the attitude of a nation requires tangible measures from the top. Will these be outlined today? Possibly. Will they be fulfilled. I doubt it,” said Mr Myers, talking to Speciality Food this morning.

His scathing response, echoes a reader letter in The Sunday Telegraph, this weekend. The article scoffs Labour’s lack of consistency:

“The company’s food policy is in something of a mess. Labour has spent more than a decade undermining farming. Now, though, Hilary Benn and his Department for Rural Affairs (Defra) are suddenly warning of the dangers of food security [...] The malaise is more immediate. Since 2002, some 7,300 dairy farmers have gone out of business, cultivated land has contracted alarmingly and Britain’s trade gap between exported and imported food has risen to 15.2 billion.”

Rose Prince, food writer and columnist for The Daily Telegraph took the argument a step further, this morning.

Speaking on Radio 4 she urged the Government to recognise the need for tighter regulations on supermarkets, rather than simply passing the buck to the consumer.

Mr Benn has assured Joe Public and industry professionals alike that he will be addressing all of these points, by proposing the following changes:

1) An innovative, profitable, competitive, skilled and resilient food sector, supported by first class research and development, with sustainable supply chains and improved resource efficiency.

2) Informed consumers able to choose and afford healthy, sustainable food, supported by better labelling and information, improved skills, and easier ways to buy healthy food.

3) Food produced efficiently, sustainably and safely to high standards of animal welfare, with food production supporting thriving rural communities and contributing to global food security.

4) Farmers and fishermen continuing to produce more with fewer resources and less environmental impact, who invest in a skilled workforce and adapt to climate change.

5) Government action in developing partnerships, funding research, regulating where necessary and cutting red tape where possible, leading by example through public food procurement, and campaigning for change in Europe and globally.

However, the brief seems to have done very little to instill confidence. Retailers argue the statements smack of liitle more than political progoganda.

“I don’t hold out much hope for Labour if this is how it plans to stage its food policy. The general consensus, certainly among smaller retailers, is one of distrust. We need to believe that the Government is actually going to help us to help the industry to tackle food security – as yet I don’t see much evidence of this,” concluded Mr Myers.