Charlie Beaty: No sense in solo sustainability

I’ll admit I haven’t read all 290 pages of Henry Dimbleby’s recently published second report for his National Food Strategy (NFS).

I have, however, had a good flick through, and it struck me that the strategy will further increase pressure on the UK government to clarify its plans for environmental incentives for farmers.

Led by the co-founder of the fast-food chain Leon (which aims to “make fast food, good food”), and representing the first independent review of England’s food system in 75 years, the NFS acknowledges that most farmers know our systems are not perfect, but are keen to embrace the necessary changes.

See also: Analysis: Food strategy report claims examined

That said, the severe lack of clarity that still surrounds the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme is highlighted as a major concern and barrier to change.

With little idea of how ELM funding will be distributed, it’s near impossible for farmers to plan ahead. So the report also encourages Defra to extend its current funding guarantee from 2024 to 2029.

Along with highlighting uncertainty on home soil, the report – which aims to create a food system that doesn’t have detrimental effects on human health or the environment – also calls out the empty promises of the Conservative Party after backtracking on their 2019 manifesto promise to “not compromise our high standard of animal welfare, environmental protection and food standards”.

The report urges ministers to come up with a list of key minimum standards for future trade deals – an essential move to ensure the UK’s commitment to tackling climate change is taken seriously, as well as to protect our farming industry.

I found it refreshing that it also addresses so many of my own concerns regarding outsourcing food.

It seems that the government simply wants to plant trees to offset the carbon footprint we create, rather than tackling the problem at source.

As stated in the NFS report: “It makes no sense for politicians, farmers and manufacturers in this country to put in all the work necessary to create a sustainable domestic food system, only to find the market flooded with food imports produced in a way that causes environmental devastation abroad.”

I couldn’t have put it better myself. Maybe I will read the rest of those 290 pages, after all.