The head of the UK’s food and drink sector skills council Improve has welcomed government proposals to reassess research and skills funding as part of a new strategy on food sustainability.

DEFRA minister Hilary Benn announced a major review of the long-term security and sustainability of the UK’s food supply, with several draft policy documents published for consultation on Monday.

Improve chief executive Jack Matthews said: “This is a very proactive step from the government. In the light of booming global population growth and climate change, how we maintain a safe, healthy, abundant and affordable supply of food for everyone is going to be a key political consideration over the next 50 years.

“I am very encouraged by the scope of the government’s vision and the implications for the food industry. The consultation documents clearly see a modern, efficient, hi-tech food industry as key to a sustainable future. They talk about increasing technical expertise in the industry in order to drive productivity, and encouraging innovative research and development through targeted funding and better links to higher education. The goal is for the UK to become a global leader in sustainable and secure food, which offers our industry a unique opportunity to expand, develop and improve.”

Matthews added that Improve was currently working with employers on the development of sustainability and business improvement qualifications for the food industry and that he could see plenty of synergies with the government’s vision.

“We are committed to developing qualifications and training programmes that add value to businesses and contribute to securing their long-term viability. We see training in skills related to sustainability, productivity and business improvement as an important part of that, and this autumn we will be launching the first ever qualifications covering these topics designed for and by the food and drink industry.

“It is an area in which we will continue to develop our offering, and I look forward to expanding it even further in light of the government’s policies on sustainability,” he said.