PTF warns Parliament UK has no coordinated food resilience plan

The Provision Trade Federation (PTF) has informed a key cross-party Parliamentary group that the UK Government lacks a coordinated strategy to ensure the resilience of the food supply chain, emphasizing that the nation cannot afford to delay urgent action.

The PTF, which represents sectors responsible for 20% of UK household food spending and supports 130,000 jobs, has provided evidence to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Food and Drink as part of their inquiry into food supply chain resilience. This submission was presented directly to the APPG Chair, Mike Reader MP.

The federation advocates for food processing, manufacturing, and trading businesses across a diverse range of essential provisions, and it has underscored the need for the UK Government to take food supply and security much more seriously.

In its submission, the PTF acknowledges that the UK food and drink supply chain is quite effective at ensuring food availability for every citizen. However, it cautions that both the UK and the global food systems are under exceptional strain due to factors like the conflict in Ukraine, the ongoing Israel-Palestine situation, and the escalating effects of climate change.

“We truly appreciate the APPG Food and Drink for addressing the critical issue of food supply chain resilience,” said Rod Addy, Director General of the Provision Trade Federation. “Our members across the UK are telling us daily that, in addition to global conflicts, soaring prices for raw materials, transport, and energy from 2022 to 2024 are impacting both consumers and businesses.”

“These external shocks have challenged many long-held beliefs about the resilience of our supply chain models,” he added.

In a thorough submission, Rod Addy highlights several key risks that the Government needs to tackle to bolster the resilience of the UK food supply. These risks encompass cyber-attacks, the effects of climate change, increasing input costs, inadequate supporting infrastructure, and persistent labor and skills shortages in the food and drink sector.

“There are several pressing threats that must be addressed to enhance UK food resilience,” Rod Addy notes in his submission. “One major issue is the lack of emphasis on UK food production in government policies and decision-making.”

“With the looming possibility of a national power outage, an over-reliance on essential raw materials, dependence on a handful of large retailers for household food supplies, disruptions to the Panama Canal—a vital food supply route—and the potential for another pandemic, it’s crucial that we see immediate action from the Government,” he emphasizes.

The PTF submission also urges the Government to recognize food supply as one of the UK’s 14 critical national infrastructures. It calls for ministers to develop a comprehensive food resilience strategy promptly, with clear action plans created in close collaboration with the food industry.

Parliamentary response to PTF submission

“The Provision Trade Federation’s submission highlights some of the genuine challenges confronting the UK’s food supply chain,” stated Mike Reader MP.

“Global instability, climate impacts, rising costs, and skills shortages are all intricate issues that demand coordinated thinking and action. The Food and Drink APPG welcomes this input from the PTF and looks forward to collaborating with both industry and government to address these concerns and help formulate practical, long-term solutions that enhance the UK’s food resilience,” he added.

The Food and Drink APPG is where important discussions take place about the key policies and issues impacting the UK food and drink industry. Mike Reader, the MP for Northampton South, chairs the group, with Amanda Hick, the MP for North West Leicestershire, serving as Vice Chair. Baroness McIntosh of Pickering, a Conservative Life Peer, holds the position of Secretary for the group.

The main goal of this group is to foster conversations between industry leaders and policymakers through events like policy roundtables and site visits. All-Party Parliamentary Groups are informal, cross-party gatherings of MPs and Members of the House of Lords who come together over shared interests in specific policy areas, regions, or countries.