UK food industry urges new Prime Minister to back five‑point resilience plan

The National Farmers’ Union, the British Retail Consortium, the Food and Drink Federation and UKHospitality have issued an open letter to candidates for the next UK Prime Minister. They propose a five‑point plan aimed at creating a more resilient and affordable food system. The plan calls for delivering value for the public, securing a well‑negotiated EU realignment, improving the planning system, ensuring a stable workforce, and driving investment and growth.

The signatories argue that the food and drink sector, worth more than £153 billion and employing over four million people, can protect 29 million UK households from future food shocks. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said, “British farmers and growers are the foundation of our food system… we must act now to secure a resilient, affordable food system.” Industry leaders also stress the need to remove regulatory hurdles, boost infrastructure such as poultry sheds and storage, and encourage new technologies and skills development.