Brief: ‘A fundamental quantum shift’ as agrifood corporates call for gov’t action to fix food system

Agrifood Corporates Call for Government Assistance in Fixing UK Food System

For what many say is the first time, agrifood corporates such as Nestlé, Danone, and Arla have publicly called for government assistance in the UK when it comes to fixing the food system.

The Hope Farm Statement

The Hope Farm Statement surfaced last week after more than a year of collaboration between former Unilever CEO Paul Polman, the National Trust, the Nature Friendly Farming Network, and others. It outlines a food system in which healthy food is affordable, farmers receive fair pay, and the environment is a priority. In other words, it’s a plan to transition the UK away from unhealthy diets and harmful farming practices.

Core Recommendations

1. Setting targets
2. Increasing public- and private-sector funding
3. Improving food procurement and regulation standards
4. Establishing accountability frameworks
5. Developing strategies for land use

“We are calling for the next UK Government as a matter of urgent national priority – starting in its first 100 days – to implement a bold national food and farming strategy for the UK, drawing on the wealth of evidence available, including in the National Food Strategy,” reads the statement.

The call to arms is not new. Henry Dimbleby, founder of healthy fast food chain Leon and author of the UK’s national food strategy, told The Times he has for years been “trying to get senior food industry leaders to say, ‘We cannot do this alone, the commercial incentives are too strong, are pulling us in the wrong direction, and we need government intervention.’”

A Quantum Shift in Public Discourse

Despite the growing list of corporate climate commitments, agrifood companies around the world have struggled to balance profitability and planetary health for years.

That many agrifood corporates are now calling for government involvement is “a fundamental quantum shift” in the public discourse around the food system, said Dimbleby.

Current signatories to the Hope Farm Statement include Dimbleby along with executives from Nestlé, Arla, Danone, COOK, the WWF, and many others.

“Further government intervention will be needed to address the chronic challenges we face in the UK today. That’s why statements like this are important,” noted Rich Osborn, chief executive at supply chain consultancy Equilibrium Markets and a veteran of consumer goods behemoth P&G.

Implications for the General Election

The Hope Farm Statement comes as the UK gears up for another general election, which is expected by January 2025.

“Food is a health issue, a climate and nature issue, a cost-of-living issue, an economic prosperity issue, and all this makes it an election issue,” noted Poleman. “The Hope Farm Statement is an unprecedented offer of partnership to the next incumbent of Number 10 from key players from across the UK food system: I hope they are wise enough to see it.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment
   • Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
   • Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group and persons with disabilities
   • Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age group and persons with disabilities

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
   • Indicator 12.3.1: Food loss index
   • Indicator 12.3.2: Food waste index

4. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases their ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change, and foster climate resilience and low greenhouse gas emissions development in a manner that does not threaten food production

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
– SDG 2: Zero Hunger
– SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
– SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
– SDG 13: Climate Action

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:
– Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
– Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
– Target 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
– Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
– Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment
– Indicator 2.1.2: Prevalence of moderate or severe food insecurity in the population, based on the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES)
– Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group and persons with disabilities
– Indicator 8.

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Fuente: agfundernews.com

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