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Food 2030 Defra strategy paper
The Food 2030 strategy is the result of discussions over a long period with many
stakeholders. Defra thanks those who have contributed to this process
including FMEG.
The six key themes of the strategy are:
- Having a resilient and economically sustainable food system
- Increasing food production sustainably
- Reducing the food system's greenhouse gas emissions
- Reducing, reusing and reprocessing waste
- Having the appropriate research, skills, knowledge and technology
- Encouraging and enabling people to eat a healthy, sustainable diet
The goals can only be achieved through a strong contribution from
research and innovation and the strategy provides a framework for this.
It recognises the need for further commitment to co-ordination.
The UK has great strengths in the science base and industry. However, innovation in a commercial sense takes place predominantly in
industry. The government can invest in research, education and skills.
The research programme needs close engagement with industry, building a
more integrated community of researchers, funders and users that
extends across disciplines, organisations and sectors. A new Technology
Strategy Board led Sustainable Agriculture and Food Innovation platform
will fund innovative techological research on waste reduction and
management and greenhouse gas reduction (£90m over 5 years). The
strategy encourages exploitation of European research opportunities,
will lead to a major Foresight food study on global food supply and
lead to a new BBSRC Advanced Training Partnership scheme (masters,
doctoral and CPD) with higher and further education. New metrics will
be developed to monitor research collaboration, innovation and skills.
Engineering is highlighted as an underpinning skill, p7.This will be needed for a projected increase of 45% in energy demand in
2030 and the need to reduce greenhouse gases. In addition , the amount
of water needed in food processing will increase. The UK food and drink
supply chain accounts for 7% of GDP and employs 3.7 million people.
Food manufacturers, processors, distributors and retailers will need to
be more resource efficient and reduce waste throughout the system. The
food system produces about 18% of UK greenhouse gas emissions and
reduction will pose some interesting challenges. Automation is
mentioned, p72.
Skills are needed in both research and manufacturing,with a lack of academic food science and manufacturing laboratories
highlighted. The research community will have to attract and train the
next generation of researchers and overcome the negative perceptions of
the industry. The industry needs to provide clear demand signals and
not only want these skills, but also upskill and professionalise the
workforce to meet future challenges, p51.
Translation of research into use is often cited as a systematic weakness.To combine the strengths of the research base to the industry requires
effective translation of research outputs to application, p52. Many
companies will feel distant from their community and may find it
difficult to articulate their needs. SMEs in particular are typically
less able to engage directly with research services and this should be
investigated. Building stronger relationships between universities and
businesses will be important. This may involve dialogue related to
products, technologies, processes, knowledge and skills. There should
be more career recognition/promotion of translation skills and
activities. End users include suppliers of equipment, food processors
and retailers. Government roles in funding responsibilities need
clarification.
For the full report see the Defra website http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/index.htm
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