The government’s ‘Good Food Cycle’ is a much-needed step in the development of its food strategy but joined up and pragmatic policy measures must sit behind it, the NFU has said.

The NFU has commended the ambition of the outcomes, particularly:

• Conditions for the food sector to thrive and grow sustainably, including investment in innovation and productivity, and fairer more transparent supply chains.

• Trade supporting environmentally sustainable growth, upholding British standards and expanding export opportunities.

• Greater preparedness for supply chain shocks, disruption, and impacts of chronic risks.

However, more detailed policy on how the government will drive these outcomes will be critical. The strategy relies heavily on the success of programmes such as the Land Use Framework and the 25 Year Farming Roadmap and the NFU has called for food production to be given the same level of prioritisation within these as climate and environmental outcomes.

It also fails to recognise that farms are commercial businesses and must be profitable if they are to deliver sustainable and nutritious food for the nation, care for the environment and contribute to economic growth.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The food system is complex and it’s good to see ambitions for this strategy to span across government departments. I welcome the positive things within the strategy around investment in productivity and resilience to risk and shock."

“While Defra is holding a review into Farm Profitability, there is a lack of joined up thinking, as evidenced in this food strategy, that farms are commercial businesses and to succeed they must be profitable. This poses a real risk to British farming’s ability to deliver sustainable and nutritious food for the nation, care for the environment and contribute to economic growth."

“A key issue for the sector is that farm business confidence is at an all-time low. While a long-term strategy is important, the development of policy behind it has to move at pace to provide much-needed certainty in the short-term and restore farmer confidence."

“These policies should value the contribution of our food and drink sector, the largest manufacturing sector in the UK, which is worth more than £148 billion to the economy and provides jobs for four million people.

“We need everyone in government to recognise that a resilient food system is not just an ambition but a necessity, and that a thriving, profitable farming industry is critical to delivering this.”

The 10 key outcomes identified in the government’s ‘Good Food Cycle’ were: 

1. An improved food environment that supports healthier and more environmentally sustainable food sales 

2. Access for all to safe, affordable, healthy, convenient and appealing food options  

3. Conditions for the food sector to thrive and grow sustainably, including investment in innovation and productivity, and fairer more transparent supply chains  

4. Food sector attracts talent and develops skilled workforce in every region  

5. Food supply is environmentally sustainable with high animal welfare standards, and waste is reduced  

6. Trade supports environmentally sustainable growth, upholds British standards and expands export opportunities  

7. Resilient domestic production for a secure supply of healthier food  

8. Greater preparedness for supply chain shocks, disruption, and impacts of chronic risks  

9. Celebrated and valued UK, regional and local food cultures  

10. People are more connected to their local food systems, and have the confidence, knowledge and skills to cook and eat healthily