Unless the government takes urgent action to fix numerous issues impacting the food and farming industry, the UK will be facing a deepening food supply chain crisis.
A group of food and farming businesses and organisations comprised of.
NFU
Food & Drink Federation
British Retail Consortium
National Pig Association
Barfoots of Botley
Arla UK
ABP
Are calling on the government to set out a “positive food and farming policy that creates a resilient and sustainable supply chain” to underpin domestic food security.
It came as the NFU Food Security Summit took place this week at the end of a year which saw a shortage of seasonal workers threatening crops being left unpicked in fields. A shortage of lorry drivers, a limited choice of products on supermarket shelves and a rise in imports due to domestic supply chain issues. And record inflationary pressures that have affected energy, feed, and fertiliser prices.
So, what’s needed?
The government must develop a coherent food policy to maintain UK food production, including a strategy for solving labour shortages throughout the supply chain.
Let’s hear from the businesses and organisers involved in this drive…
NFU President, Minette Batters.
“A start would be a serious commitment from government to at the very least, maintain Britain’s food production self-sufficiency level at 60% and helping to create an environment for farm and food business to thrive.”
Arla Foods UK Managing Director, Ash Amirahmadi.
“The dairy sector is seeing shortages in a range of areas caused by local and global factors that were putting pressure on the supply chain, increasing costs and prices.”
“These strains are not going to go away as we work to become even more sustainable.”
“Collaboration between government, the industry and farmers being the only way to address this.”
Food & Drink Federation Director of Policy and Corporate Affairs, Jayne Almond.
“There is no better industry than food and drink – from farm to fork – to level up the United Kingdom. With a footprint in every constituency, food and drink provides local jobs and makes a significant contribution to the UK’s economic performance.
“However, supply chain issues and rising costs are challenging manufacturers like never before. This important summit must consider how we work together to support our producers and manufacturers, while ensuring UK shoppers continue to get the food and drink, they want, at the right price.”
It’s all about collaboration!
Stripy Fig are here for you, contact us for support in all areas of your business.
Together we can work it out.
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