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Food For Thought

Contact Email: info@ippr.org

Introduction

The UK does not have a food policy. Instead, it has a number of policies that relate to food, whether to do with its production (agricultural and environmental policy for example) or its consumption (such as health policy concerns over foodborne illness and obesity). But in policy terms they are rarely inter-related.

This research considers whether a more coherent and progressive position could be achieved by looking at a range of policy issues together. And if so, what would it look like?

It is by no means given that a single UK food policy would be the ideal solution. For example, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have devolved powers over agriculture and health, and Scotland and Wales are developing their own food policies. This research will explore the differences between UK administrations and with that in mind will consider what other progressive policy actions could be taken.

Further Information

Ultimately, we will be asking can we achieve a progressive food policy? We will be also be pursuing the following questions and making recommendations to address them:

• Do we need a more joined up food policy? If not why not for example this would remove the risk of industry capturing regulators, but given the levels of European legislation and actions does this remain a valid argument?
  
• Should we at least recognise areas where policy can come together, moving from either or policy situations and disconnections? Could this work in practice?
  
• What is the role of public policy? What are the processes and outcomes it hopes to achieve? What is the relationship between the state, the market and the individual and what should they be?
  
• Can we balance social, environmental and economic concerns? Can we balance domestic and international practicalities and responsibilities?
  

The research will involve a range of stakeholders from policy makers at all levels and interest groups representing different views and positions. This ensures the evidence put forward can inform and provide real world solutions to food related issues and problems that are often presented as single issues.

Research to date?

• This project commenced in January 2007.
• The UK food policy landscape has been reviewed and analysis undertaken from a range of data sources concerning food.
• This research is reported in a working paper which acted as the basis for a seminar on 06 December 2007. Read a summary of the seminar and discussion content.
• A policy paper was published in June 2008: ‘Best Before: How the UK should respond to food policy challenges’. 
• A seminar on food and devolution was held in Cardiff on 24 June 2008.
• The final report, Just Desserts, was published in January 2009.

The project is supported by the Agricultural Biotechnology Council, Commission for Rural Communities, One NorthEast and the Scottish Government.

Publications

Just Desserts?
Securing global food futures

This report presents principles to the the international community and UK government to guide responses to the evolving priorities surrounding food security within a changing global environment.

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Best Before:
How the UK should respond to food policy challenges

With rising food prices, concerns about environmental impacts of agricultural production and worrying levels of obesity, food has never been more topical. Ensuring a safe, affordable, sustainable and healthy supply of food is one of the most fundamental challenges facing policymakers in the UK and, indeed, around the world.

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