Seminar to discuss 25-year Defra plan
The Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum is hosting a keynote seminar on 22 March 2016 entitled ‘Priorities for the UK food and drink industry – implementing the 25-year food and farming plan’, in London, UK.
Guest of honour Sarah Church, director, food and farming, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), will join the conference, which will bring together policymakers and key stakeholders to assess the priorities for the sustainable growth of the UK’s food and drink industry.
It will be a timely opportunity to discuss Defra’s new industry led 25-year plan to boost the growth of the UK’s food and farming industry, focusing on growing exports and trade, increasing competitiveness, technology, innovation, investment and developing skills and employment within the industry.
The agenda will also include discussion on the Cutting Red Tape programme, which allows businesses to inform government on ways to cut red tape and reduce unnecessary regulation on growth and productivity in sectors such as agriculture.
Delegates will also look at innovative approaches in developing a more sustainable business practice to improve food security, including the EU Circular Economy Package on food and farming businesses, aimed at creating a more competitive, resource efficient economy.
Further planned sessions will also include discussions on the wider challenges faced by the food and drink industry in contributing to the development of the public health landscape, promoting balanced diets and healthy lifestyles.
In addition to Church, keynote addresses will be delivered by Catherine Brown, chief executive, Food Standards Agency; Jayne Brookman, head of food, Knowledge Transfer Network; Professor Tim Lang, professor of food policy, City University London; and Ian Meikle, head of agriculture and food, Innovate UK.
Senior speakers from the Food and Drink Federation, Coca-Cola Enterprises and the National Farmers Union have also agreed to speak.
Angela Smith MP, member, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee; and John Stevenson MP, chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Food and Drink Manufacturing will chair the seminar.
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