The National Food Strategy and food security

In 2019, the former Environment Secretary Michael Gove commissioned an independent review, referred to as a “National Food Strategy” (NFS) to consider the UK food chain, including food security. The review was led by Henry Dimbleby, the co-founder of Leon restaurants, and the lead non-executive director at Defra.

The independent review published two reports. The first report, “Part one of the National Food Strategy”, was published on 29 July 2020, and considered how the Government should prepare for EU Exit and respond to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A second, more detailed report, known as The Plan made a series of recommendations in 2021 targeting many aspects of the food system.

The Government responded to the National Food Strategy with a Government food strategy policy paper  on 13 June 2022. This response to the NFS was originally intended to be a White Paper. The Library briefing on the effects of Ukraine war on food production and security (July 2022) contains more information.

The NFS made 14 broad recommendations in four areas:

• Escape the junk food cycle and protect the NHS
• Reduce diet-related inequality
• Make the best use of our land
• Create a long-term shift in our food culture

A debate on the National Food Strategy and wider issues of national food security will take place in the Commons Chamber on 27 October 2022. The debate will be opened by Esther McVey MP and Kerry MCarthy MP.