Yorkshire Forward Column: How region is rising to challenge of 20-year food strategy

LAST month the Government launched Food 2030 – the new food strategy for the UK – the first of its kind in 50 years. It sets out a vision for what the food supply chain should look like 20 years from now and Yorkshire Forward is working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Feb 2010, 14:06 BST
Updated 19th Feb 2010, 14:06 BST

Food 2030 sets out the challenges facing the food sector nationally, and with Yorkshire and Humber playing such a crucial role in the UK food economy, it is in our role as a Regional Development Agency (RDA) to determine what this means for the region.

The challenge we face is feeding a growing population – we need to increase food production, from agricultural output through to more efficient manufacturing.

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The underlying themes of the strategy are sustainability and security, with key aims ranging from consumers being informed and able to choose and afford healthy sustainable food; to more efficient processing and distribution. Such activity should make a significant contribution to rural communities, while allowing the UK to show global leadership on food sustainability.

To meet theses aims we need profitable, competitive, highly-skilled and resilient farming, fishing and food businesses, and a commitment to research and development.

Yorkshire Forward's role is to support action locally by helping businesses, including primary producers, and consumers to get what they need by increasing food production while ensuring waste is limited.

Last week, Yorkshire Forward brought together representatives from the region's key stakeholders and businesses in food and farming for the second consultation with Defra on Food 2030. This event examined ways to turn Food 2030 into practice.

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We want agriculture to produce as much food as possible, as long as it's what people want, and it's done sustainably. Farmers have already shown what they can do – by reducing fertiliser use while maintaining or improving yields.

A low carbon food system that is efficient in using resources – with any waste being re-used, recycled or used for energy generation – is important.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions within the food system is a high priority and, CO2Sense Yorkshire will play a vital role. The supply chain development programme, Farexchange, was created specifically to ensure sustainable and secure food supplies by linking Yorkshire and Humber's farmers, food companies and retailers more effectively.

As a region we are ahead of the game.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/ foodfarm/food/strategy/

http://www.co2sense.org. uk/

http://www.farexchange yorkshire.co.uk

Jim Farmery, Assistant Director of Business at Yorkshire Forward.

Related topics:FoodGovernmentYorkshireHumber