In what many say is the first time that agri-food companies including Nestlé, Danone and Arra have publicly asked for help from the UK government to improve the food system.
The Hope Farm Statement emerged last week after more than a year of collaboration with former Unilever CEO Paul Polman, the National Trust, the Green Farming Network and others. It outlines a food system where healthy food is available at affordable prices, farmers receive fair wages, and the environment is prioritized. In other words, it is a plan to move Britain away from unhealthy eating habits and harmful agricultural practices.
The statement also includes six core recommendations on target setting, increased public and private funding, improved food procurement and regulatory standards, accountability frameworks and land use strategies.
“We are calling on the next UK Government, as a matter of national urgency, to implement a bold national food and farming strategy for the UK, starting in its first 100 days and drawing on the wealth of evidence available, including the National Food Plan. strategy,” the statement reads.
The call for arms is nothing new. Henry Dimbleby, founder of healthy fast-food chain Leon and author of the UK's National Food Strategy, told the Times: “Senior leaders in the food industry say, “We can't do this alone, we can't do this commercially. “There are too many incentives,” he said. Powerful forces are pulling us in the wrong direction and government intervention is needed. ”
Despite a growing list of corporate climate change initiatives, agri-food companies around the world have long struggled to balance profitability with the health of the planet.
Mr Dimbleby said the fact that many agricultural products companies were now seeking government involvement was a “fundamental quantum shift” in the public debate around the food system.
Current signatories to the Hope Farm Statement include Mr Dimbleby as well as executives from Nestlé, Arla, Danone, COOK and WWF.
“Further government intervention will be needed to address the chronic challenges facing the UK today, which is why statements like this are important,” said supply chain consultancy Equilibrium. said Rich Osborne, CEO of Markets and a veteran of consumer goods giant P&G.
The Hope Farm statement comes as the UK prepares for a new general election, due by January 2025.
“Food is a health issue, it's a climate and nature issue, it's a cost of living issue, it's an economic prosperity issue, and these are all election issues,” Pohlman said. “Hope Farm's statement is an unprecedented offer of partnership to the next incumbent of number 10 from a major company across the UK food system. We hope they are smart enough to understand it. .”