The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee’s COVID-19 and Food Supply Report finds the pandemic to have exacerbated food insecurity for millions of people.
Use of UK food banks almost doubled during lockdown, with a significant spike in demand from people with children. Recognising that the situation is likely to worsen, the cross-party group of MPs call on Government to urgently appoint a ‘Minister for Food Security’.
The new Minister would work across Government departments to collect robust data and deliver sustainable change. The report also urges the Government to consult on whether a ‘right to food’ should be put in legislation.
The report, which dissects the Government’s response to the pandemic’s disruptive impact on the food supply sector, highlights the significant knock-on effect of closures on suppliers, consumers and food aid organisations.
Possible future crises triggered by climate change or a disorderly end to the Brexit transition period could pose potentially greater challenges if they hit imports of food to the UK.
The Committee therefore recommends that the Government reviews its resilience plans for the food sector and assess the extent to which our dependence on multi-national, just-in-time supply chains affects resilience.
Download the full report.
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