A think tank has produced a series of recommendations to improve food security in the United Kingdom.

Policy Exchange called on the Government to develop a National Food Security Strategy that covers the food ecosystem, including manufacturing, logistics, and retail. The charity said previous food security initiatives had focused too narrowly on agriculture.

One recommendation is that the Food Standards Agency (FSA) should fast-track approvals for any product that has already been backed by the relevant regulator in both the EU and the U.S. This would allow quicker approval of low-risk products and free up resources for other applications.

Another idea is for the FSA to introduce a paid fast-track route for market approval authorizations, with a reduced fee for SMEs. The money raised would be reinvested to enhance FSA capabilities and resources to ensure a faster regulatory approval process for all, including those not using the fast-track route.

The approach during a crisis

DEFRA, the FSA, and others should also create a contingency framework for major food supply crises that covers exemptions for labeling modifications. This would suspend specific regulations in emergencies, such as when Russia invaded Ukraine. It would be subject to risk assessments and would not impact vital food safety information, such as allergens. A pre-approved list of risk-assessed substitute goods could be agreed upon.

Other suggestions include reviewing the definition of novel foods to support the development of new products and food sources and the Government reducing regulations on the ability of food suppliers to modify their inputs during periods of geopolitical disruption. An example given was switching between rapeseed oil and sunflower oil at the start of the Ukraine conflict.

Policy Exchange heard from businesses that the FSA took too long to approve regulatory applications and was not sufficiently resourced to deliver at the speed needed.

The work, supported by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), highlighted events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine and their impact on food security.

Polling for Policy Exchange by the FDF showed that 53 percent of food and drink manufacturers consider mitigating supply chain risks from natural disasters or geopolitical events a significant concern for their business. The top three actions they are taking are diversifying suppliers, adapting or simplifying supply chains, and investing in product innovation. More than half of large suppliers are increasing stockpiles, while 54 percent of SMEs are upping the share of UK inputs in their supply chain.

Support for report

The UK imports around 40 percent of the food it consumes. The report’s authors said the position that the UK should be self-sufficient in food production was “an unrealistic aim.”

Policy Exchange said a national food security research center could be created to provide facilities such as diagnostics for food safety and allergens and data science expertise.

“This report from Policy Exchange highlights the vital importance of food manufacturing to both food security and the UK economy and the key role that the sector plays in ensuring that our food is safe, nutritious and affordable. This report sets out some practical recommendations for government, regulators, academics, and businesses to work together to deliver a prosperous and secure food and farming sector,” said George Weston, chief executive of Associated British Foods.

The UK Food Security Report is an analysis of relevant data. The next edition is due to be published in 2024, and one section is on food safety and consumer confidence, which details food crime and safety issues. Policy Exchange said the report needs to be reformed to focus more on actions and delivery.

Fiona Kendrick, founding member of the Food and Drink Sector Council, said: “Our food system has shown itself in recent years to be efficient and resilient, maintaining UK food supply through a series of major challenges, including COVID-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and new trading arrangements by leaving the European Union. But against the backdrop of increased geopolitical instability and climate change, we cannot assume that our food system will always withstand shocks.”

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