Food producers, manufacturers and retailers will come together at the Labour Party conference on Monday (September 22) to demonstrate their recognition that successful food supply policy requires the involvement of every stage of the chain.

With a string of high-profile food issues on the national agenda - prices, health, nutrition, environmental impact, future supplies - The British Retail Consortium (BRC), Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and National Farmers’ Union (NFU) will stage a debate, British Food Chain - fit for purpose for the future?, at the conference in Manchester.

It is the first time all sides of the industry have come together in this way at a party conference.

With BRC figures showing overall food prices in August up 10 per cent on a year ago, the event will focus on where food prices are heading and the role of all parts of the supply chain in keeping food prices down. It will also consider security of future supplies versus self-sufficiency and the need for greater co-ordination in government food policy making.

Andrew Opie, British Retail Consortium director of food policy, said: “Industry bodies will always fight their own corners - that’s what we’re here for - but, by getting together in Manchester, we’re acknowledging that big wins on issues such as obesity and waste can only be achieved by involving the whole industry, as well as politicians and customers.”

Paul Temple, vice-president of the National Farmers’ Union, added: “Farmers have taken some encouragement from the renewed interest in food policy in political circles in recent months. But real focus must now be trained on ensuring a sustainable food production base for the future in the UK, a must-have which has been underlined by this year's exceptionally difficult harvest."

And Lord Rooker, minister for food and farming, said: “This summer’s Cabinet Office report ‘Food Matters’ rightly recognises how varied food policy is and how much a co-ordinated Government approach matters to customers and the industry. I welcome the report’s recommendation of a Food Strategy Task Force to pull together the food policy work of all Government departments and agencies.”

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