The UK’s Food Security Index 2024 suggested a ‘broadly stable’ picture, as the UK emerges from a ‘challenging period of global supply chain shocks’. However, with the very wet winter and spring, domestic food production will be severely affected in 2024/25.
The NFU recently highlighted the importance of upholding and increasing the nation’s self-sufficiency levels, to help boost food security (UK is 62% self-sufficient in food, according to Defra stats). Should that be part of the ambition? How can we avoid equating food security (just) with greater self-sufficiency?
The new Government has set out its stall, with Defra announcing five priorities, of which ‘boosting food security’ was one. We will explore what different parts of the sector can, and should, do to contribute to greater food security – but crucially in ways that simultaneously address other ESG priorities, rather than just aiming to boost yields and store up trouble for the future. How can agri-food businesses appropriately and fairly influence government policy on sustainable food security?
This in-person dinner meeting in central London will provide an opportunity for participants to:
Speakers include Kath Dalmeny (Chief Executive of Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming) and Belinda Ng (Youth Leader Act4Food Act4Change, Executive Producer of SustainaPod, sustainable food systems advocate and corporate sustainability consultant). Dan Crossley, Executive Director of Food Ethics Council, will chair the discussion.
1st October 2024
4:45 - 8:30 pm
St Luke's Community Centre
Islington
Central Street
London
UK