Sustainability drive for UK food industry

Producers, wholesalers, caterers and retailers in the UK are to work with the government on a joint strategy to improve the food and drink industry's economic, environmental and social performance, so announced the government last week inaugurating a new stakeholder group.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Margaret Beckett hailed in the creation of the new body, announcing its remit to develop a 'Food Industry Sustainability Strategy' with 'key performance indicators' for food manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and caterers.

Food and Farming Minister Lord Whitty will chair the new group, which will also involve a wide range of industry bodies such as the Food and Drink Federation, Federation of Wholesale Distributors,British Retail Consortium and groups such as the National Consumer Council.

"Government needs a genuine partnership with industry, one where we collectively agree upon sustainability priorities and how best to tackle them. The development of a Food Industry SustainabilityStrategy provides a golden opportunity to forge such a partnership with the food and drink industry, "​ said Mrs Beckett.

This latest government move finds its source in the 'Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food', published last December, that is seeking to encourage the food and farming industries to work with the government to secure a better environment and improved nutrition and public health.

As a nod to the FDF, Beckett commented : "I welcome the work of the Food and Drink Federation and the British Retail Consortium in developing their own sectoral sustainability strategies, and both have made a useful contribution in encouragingprogress"​. Yet she concluded: "However, more work is necessary to ensure that we build on good practice and ensure that sustainable practices are embedded throughout the food chain"​ .

The government is hoping that the new food industry strategy can be completed by the end of the year.