A recent report from the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission entitled “So What do Want from Food? Citizens are hungry for Change” shows that the UK public overwhelmingly back state intervention to improve the country’s food system. More than three quarters of respondents agreed that major changes are needed to fix the UK’s food system.
Based on extensive public dialogue sessions in Birmingham and Cambridge and a national poll of 2,000 people, the report showed that UK citizens reject “nanny state” concerns and want the government to do more to fix food. The poll found that 75% of the public think that the government is ‘not doing enough’ to ensure that everyone can afford healthy food. Just 3% say that the government is doing ‘too much’. Two thirds of respondents also believe that the government is not doing enough to ‘protect children from unhealthy food and drinks’ (67%).
In significant majorities, respondents also backed: fines on food producers that pollute the environment (79%); a target for reducing ultra-processed foods in shops and on the high street (74%); support for farmers to help them transition to more sustainable farming practices (68%); and support for people on low incomes to afford healthy food (79%). Both citizen groups found that people are willing to spend more for their shopping if the food is healthier and more sustainable, especially if people on lower incomes are supported to afford healthier food.
For further information, visit Food, Farming and Countryside Commission (ffcc.co.uk)