3
Deferred
Mandate the Prime Minister to chair an annual food security summit covering statutory aspects.
Conclusion
While we welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to chair an annual food security summit, we are disappointed that this evolved into May’s “Farm to Fork Summit” in which, although successful, food security was not the focus. This was a missed opportunity for the Government to demonstrate its seriousness towards the issue of food security. The Prime Minister should chair a dedicated food security summit later this year and this should be an annual event, in line with the Prime Minister’s promise. Each annual food security summit should, as a minimum, cover the five statutory aspects of food security as set out in the Agriculture Act 2020, with a particular focus on those of most relevance at the time of the summit.
Government Response Summary
The government references its National Food Strategy and policies from the Farm to Fork Summit as setting its priorities, and indicates it fully considered Henry Dimbleby’s review, but does not commit to the Prime Minister chairing a dedicated annual food security summit covering the five statutory aspects.
Paragraph Reference
12
Government Response
Deferred
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
The Government fully considered Henry Dimbleby’s independent review when developing the Food Strategy. The Government’s National Food Strategy and policies announced at this year’s Farm to Fork Summit set out the Government’s priorities. It is not usual to publish cross- Whitehall policy discussions, which are an important part of policy making within government.
Timeline
Recommendation age
2.8 yrs
Report published
28 Jul 2023