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One of the key questions for our inquiry was what the COVID-19 pandemic had shown...
Recommendation
One of the key questions for our inquiry was what the COVID-19 pandemic had shown about our food system, not just in terms of food supply, but also demand. There are clearly millions of people whose ability to afford sufficient, nutritious food has been severely disrupted or worsened. Lessons must be learnt from the experience in all four nations on how best to avoid and respond to food insecurity. We are very concerned that this situation will be exacerbated as the economic impacts of the pandemic continue to unfold. We are aware that a combination of ending furlough and a potential second wave of coronavirus may conspire to make the level and severity of food insecurity significantly higher. Therefore, the Government urgently needs a sustainable plan to mitigate the possible growth of food insecurity through a combination of financial and food supply strategies. Following the publication of the National Food Strategy, we recommend that the Government consults on whether a “Right to Food” should be given a legislative footing to ensure the Government has a reference point for action to tackle and measure food insecurity, with the flexibility to meet that commitment using different measures. Following the publication of the National Food Strategy, we recommend that the Government consults on whether a COVID-19 and food supply 49 “Right to Food” should be given a legislative footing to ensure the Government has a reference point for action to tackle and measure food insecurity, with the flexibility to meet that commitment using different measures. This should happen as a matter of great urgency, in anticipation of increasing challenges to the food security of the nation post-COVID-19.
Paragraph Reference
72
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 10 October 2020. Response attribution to this recommendation has not been verified. Read the response document.
Source
Inquiry
COVID-19 and food supply
Report
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
30 Jul 2020
HC 263
Addressee Bodies
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
Timeline
Recommendation age
6.1 yrs
Report published
30 Jul 2020