Farmers appointed to oversee national food strategy
© Tim Scrivener Four farmers are among the industry leaders and experts chosen to help oversee the development of a national food strategy for England.
Leon restaurants co-founder Henry Dimbleby – who has been appointed by the government to lead the first major “field-to-fork” review of the UK food system in nearly 75 years – unveiled the 23-strong advisory panel on Tuesday (5 November).
See also: Henry Dimbleby to lead major review of UK food system
The four farmers are:
- NFU president Minette Batters
- Soil Association chief executive Helen Browning
- G’s Fresh chairman John Shropshire
- Farmers Weekly 2018 Farmer of the Year Craig Livingstone
Other panel members are from food retailing, processing and academia.
Due to be published next year, the review will consider what changes are needed to ensure the UK food system is built on a resilient and sustainable agriculture sector – and delivers safe, healthy, affordable food – regardless of where people live or how much they earn.
‘Formidable group’
The panel’s recommendations will result in a national food strategy, due to be published next year.
Mr Dimbleby said he had asked the panel to review and challenge his work as it progresses. He added: “This is a formidable group of people, who will enrich and strengthen the national food strategy review with their knowledge and experience.
“We don’t expect panel members to agree on everything – indeed, we would be surprised if they did. But by subjecting our work to the toughest scrutiny, the advisory panel will test our ideas and make them better.”