Leading figures from industry, the public sector and charities have joined forces to call for fundamental changes in finance, trade and employment to make our food system fairer.
Food Justice: the report of the Food and Fairness Inquiry has found that farmers, agricultural workers, the environment and consumers are paying a high price for the food we eat.
The Food and Fairness Inquiry committee was made up of 14 members from across the food sector, including Fairtrade Foundation ceo Harriet Lamb, Andrew Opie from the British Retail Consortium, Melanie Leech, ceo of the Food and Drink Federation, Paul Whitehouse, chair of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and Jeanette Longfield, who runs the campaign group Sustain.
They heard evidence from vegetable packers, food producers, environmental organisations, public health experts and many others in their year-long investigation into our food system.
The report makes hard-hitting recommendations for government, business, the third sector and citizens. On agricultural policy it calls on government to give farmers a fair say in setting farming policies and research priorities.
The study claimed the meaning of ‘affordable’ needed to be redefined to help redefine to idea of ‘cheap food’ and its environmental and social costs.
On food security it urges the UK government ensure that small-scale producers around the world can get access to land and markets.
The report urges businesses to ask government to review the public interest consequences of international trends towards corporate consolidation and look after farm workers’ health, safety and economic security.
It also asks the UK government to show leadership in bringing down global food price volatility by strengthening financial regulation to limit speculation on the price of food.
Helen Browning, chair of the Food and Fairness Inquiry, said: “This is the first time such a diverse group of people has got together to hammer out these difficult issues. It tested us all, but we’ve emerged with a common understanding of how deeply injustice runs in food and farming.
“The challenges ahead are formidable, but the Food and Fairness Inquiry process has shown me that together we can meet them. The recommendations in our report are realistic and practical, and will represent real progress towards a fairer food system.”
Terry Jones, NFU acting director of communications agreed. He said: “We should strive for fairness to be more prominent in debates on food policy - otherwise it seems impossible that the food and farming industries will be able to face up to some of the big challenges of the future.”
Paul Whitehouse, chair of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, which was set up to combat exploitation in the food chain in the UK praised the Inquiry.
He said: “In the UK we have become used to the all-year-round supply of food which used to be available only on a seasonal basis. We have become ever more disconnected with the land and those who use it to produce our food. It’s good that food is cheap, but those who produce it are entitled to a fair reward. We all have a part to play in achieving this.”
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