‘Once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for more sustainable food
This is a thoughtful report which gives some really interesting reflections on the scope to reset the compass post our decision to leave the EU and in the light of the unintended changes to our economy arising from the coronavirus. This report tells us:
An independent review of UK food policy is calling for “a gold standard level of scrutiny” to ensure new trade deals do not undermine the environment.
Verification schemes should address concerns such as imports of beef reared on land recently cleared of rainforest.
And the government should press on with plans to pay English farmers to improve the countryside.
The report aims to ensure a food system that is healthy, affordable, sustainable, resilient, and productive.
It was commissioned by the government in 2019.
Author of the first report of the National Food Strategy, food entrepreneur Henry Dimbleby, said the UK had a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to decide what kind of trading nation it wanted to be when the transition period ends.
“We should use that freedom to decide that we want to uphold standards,” he said.
“And the government should be confident of scrutiny on the trade deals that it is doing.”
Trade deals should not only increase wealth but restore the environment and protect animal welfare, he added.