Morning, Thursday, 23rd October 2025
Online
This conference will examine the recently published UK government food strategy for England - Towards a Good Food Cycle - and the steps that will be needed in its implementation to achieve the ambitions it sets out for sustainable food systems, healthier diets, sector growth, and net zero goals.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the strategy’s proposals to establish a more coherent and sustainable food system - set around ten priority outcomes, which include improving diet and affordability, supporting resilient supply chains, enabling sector growth, and fostering thriving food cultures. Discussion is expected on the sequencing of delivery, the cultural and behavioural shifts needed, the scale and direction of public and private investment, and options for a more joined-up policy approach. Attendees will also consider the role of the Citizens’ and Food Strategy Advisory Councils in supporting implementation, and the development of metrics to monitor progress across health, sustainability, economic, and cultural goals.
Sessions will also assess how delivery of the strategy can be coordinated with wider related policy such as the Land Use Framework, 25-year Farming Roadmap, Industrial Strategy, NHS 10-Year Health Plan and net zero commitments. We expect delegates to consider how a coordinated approach across food, health, and the economy can be taken forward through the strategy, alongside calls for transparency and broader representation in its development.
Sustainability and maximising productivity
In examining priorities for supporting UK agriculture in delivering sustainable food production and maximising productivity, delegates will consider strategies to increase uptake and adoption of nature-friendly farming practices to protect the environment, alongside priorities for farm profitability and adapting to the effects of climate change.
It comes with plans outlined by the Secretary of State to introduce a 25-year Farming Roadmap, setting out long-term direction for sustainable farming and environmental land management, as well as a £2.7bn investment in sustainable farming and nature recovery per year from 2026-2029, announced in the 2025 Spending Review.
Discussion is also expected on industry concerns regarding financial uncertainty linked to the Sustainable Farming Incentive, and strategic options for achieving ambitions both for environmental and economic sustainability for producers. Areas for consideration include how pressures on UK farmers could be mitigated in areas such as upgrades in biosecurity on farms, uncertainties regarding trade deals, and support expected for domestic food security, and environmental and animal welfare standards.
Promoting healthy diets and tackling obesity
We also expect sessions to bring out latest thinking on approaches to tackling obesity and improving accessibility to healthier foods, with discussion on the Government’s announcement in the 10-Year Health Plan of a new Healthy Food Standard for food retailers and manufacturers, as well as recommendations from the House of Lords Food, Diet and Obesity Committee to develop a strategy that targets unhealthy diets with aims to reduce obesity rates. Next steps for obesity care and prevention will be considered, including the future outlook for HFSS regulation, and ways of tackling food insecurity and inequalities, such as improvements to the food environment. Sessions will also explore approaches to addressing geographic and socioeconomic disparities in food access, affordability, and sector participation.
Security and supply chain resilience
The agenda discusses priorities for strengthening domestic food security and addressing vulnerabilities in supply chains, as identified in Defra’s UK Food Security Report 2024. Delegates will discuss priorities for improving domestic food security and practical steps to reduce cost pressures and operational risks, such as administrative burdens, logistical delays, and regulatory divergence. We also expect issues around food fraud and regulatory clarity to be considered, in the context of evolving system risks.
Attendees will also assess how proposals in the recently published Industrial Strategy on energy costs, workforce skills, and advanced manufacturing could support the food sector. Areas for discussion include policy frameworks and investment models that can support resilience, drive innovation, and foster more efficient and fair supply chains, including through automation and better data use. Sessions are also expected to examine strategic options for tackling barriers to trade and boosting market access, alongside priorities for food safety regulation that supports innovation whilst maintaining high standards.
Research and innovation
Further sessions focus on next steps for boosting innovation, research, and economic growth in the agri-food sector. Delegates will look at the practical application of new technologies, such as gene-edited and novel foods, to be able to adapt to growing challenges caused by climate change and support food security going forward. Priorities for agile, transparent regulatory frameworks to support safe innovation in these areas will also be considered.
Delegates will discuss priorities for expanding R&D and how new investment in food innovation should be targeted, following the Spending Review 2025 announcing an increase for R&D of £22.6bn per year by 2030. With agri-tech and precision breeding being recognised by the Industrial Strategy as areas for growth, delegates will discuss next steps for investment and R&D in these areas as well, along with their future role in addressing food system challenges.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from Defra; DSIT; DHSC; DBT; FSA; FSS; NAO; DAERA, NI; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
