The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has stressed that market demand, rather than regulation, should drive government food policy.
Reacting to the government’s Food 2030 plan, published this week, the BRC said retailers and suppliers respond most quickly to customer demand .
British Retail Consortium Food Policy director Andrew Opie said: “The government deserves credit for putting this plan together but delivery is what matters.
“The government must create an environment across Whitehall that joins up policy making and allows all parts of the industry to work with customers to go on improving the way food is produced and consumed.
“Food is part of a range of issues including health and climate change. These are big issues that need government to pursue a long-term strategy without being diverted by headline-grabbing gimmicks or the fads of the moment.
“We need a recognition that the market is the most effective way to deliver change. Food policy has to take customers with it. When customers understand and then demand, retailers and suppliers respond, producing change more quickly than politicians ever can.”
Sue Davies, chief policy adviser at Which? said: “It’s great news that we finally have a food strategy for England.
“2030 pulls together the many elements of food policy, including the need to balance healthier eating with sustainable food production, and how to produce more food with less environmental impact.”
