Leading figures from industry, the public sector and charities have joined forces to call for fundamental changes to make our food system fairer.
Food Justice: the report of the Food and Fairness Inquiry, has been published today and finds that farmers, agricultural workers, the environment and consumers are paying a high price for the food we eat. The inquiry committee of 14 came from a broad range of organisations across the food sector and included representation from the NFU.
It took evidence from vegetable packers, food producers, environmental organisations, public health experts and many other witnesses during a year-long investigation.
The report recommendations, unveiled today, are aimed at government, business, the third sector and citizens:
• On agricultural policy it calls on government to give farmers a fair say in setting farming policies and research priorities.
• On cheap food it says we need to redefine the meaning of ‘affordable’. Everybody, including consumers, will have to recognise that ‘cheap’ comes at environmental and social costs.
• On food security it urges the UK government ensure that small-scale producers around the world can get access to land and markets.
• On the trend towards bigger farm businesses it urges businesses to ask government to review the public interest consequences of international trends towards corporate consolidation, and look after farm workers’ health, safety and economic security.
• On regulating the City it asks the UK government to show leadership in bringing down global food price volatility by strengthening financial regulation to limit speculation on the price of food.
Helen Browning, Chair of the Food and Fairness Inquiry said: “This is the first time such a diverse group of people has got together to hammer out these difficult issues. It tested us all, but we’ve emerged with a common understanding of how deeply injustice runs in food and farming.
“The challenges ahead are formidable, but the Food and Fairness Inquiry process has shown me that together we can meet them. The recommendations in our report are realistic and practical, and will represent real progress towards a fairer food system.”
Terry Jones, NFU Acting Director of Communications said: “We should strive for fairness to be more prominent in debates on food policy – otherwise it seems impossible that the food and farming industries will be able to face up to some of the big challenges of the future.”
The full report can be read here.
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