December 2020
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will discuss key issues and priorities for the food, drink and hospitality sector in the UK as it responds to the challenges posed by COVID-19 and prepares for the imminent end of the EU exit transition period.
It is bringing together stakeholders with a range of key policy officials, including from Defra; the FSA; DIT; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; the National Food Crime Unit; DHSC; DAERA NI; the Department for the Economy NI; and the Welsh Government.
The discussion at a glance:
- COVID-19 - the impact on the industry national and regional restrictions aims at tackling rising infections, and ways businesses are adapting
- support priorities - what the industry needs, including the workforce and food and drink businesses of all scales, with the impact of pandemic restrictions and as the end of the EU transition period
- innovation and consumer habits - how food, drink and hospitality companies are evolving their offering as consumers move through the pandemic, and the lessons that can be taken forward
- trade - future international relationships and the impact on the sector, its regulation and food standards - and the role of the Trade and Agriculture Commission
- public health policy - policy and regulatory initiatives on obesity, alcohol, and marketing - including calorie food labelling for the out of home sector
- skills - what is needed from government, and policy in areas such as visas and immigration, to ensure the UK is able to overcome shortages and supply change issues at the end of the UK transition
- environment targets - meeting the challenges across the food supply chain, including reducing waste and use of plastic, moving towards net zero, and adapting to evolving consumer expectations
A scan of relevant policy developments:
- the National Food Strategy - with part one including wide-ranging recommendations aimed at supporting a food system that is healthy, affordable, sustainable, resilient, and productive
- COVID-19 - fast-moving developments in the national and regional response and Government extends Furlough to March and increases self-employed support
- the Winter Economy Plan - including the extension of the 15% VAT cut for the hospitality and tourism sectors until March
- ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme drove new COVID-19 infections up by between 8 and 17%, new research finds - research from the University of Warwick
- obesity policy - the new government strategy and proposals on calorie labelling affecting the out of home sector
- National Child Measurement Programme: childhood obesity - Research by University College London shares learning from local authorities that have a downward trend in childhood obesity
- Trade and Agriculture Commission: interim progress update - ahead of its final recommendations to government:
- gathering evidence on trade strategy, agreements and markets including the UK internal market
- with a focus on issues ethics, environmental sustainability and animal welfare, and areas for it future work
- Agriculture Act legislated
The agenda:
- Key issues for the food, drink and hospitality industry - moving on from COVID-19, and preparing for the end of the EU Exit transition period
- The food, drink and hospitality industry in 2021 - evolving consumer expectations, opportunities for innovation, and priorities for the supply chain and workforce
- How consumer attitudes and habits have evolved through the pandemic
- Case study - innovating offerings as the sector responds to COVID-19 and changing consumer expectations
- Supporting the food supply chain, meeting workforce challenges, and key issues for the food and drink sector in Wales
- ‘Here to Help’ - the FSA’s role in supporting food businesses in a time of change and uncertainty
- Policy priorities, standards, and building and maintaining trading relationships
- The developing public health policy agenda - obesity, alcohol, marketing, and priorities for protecting and promoting consumers' interests
Policy officials attending:
Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons; and officials from Defra; the Department of International Trade; the Food Standards Agency; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; the National Food Crime Unit; the Department of Health and Social Care; DAERA NI; the Department for the Economy NI; and the Welsh Government.
Overall, we expect speakers and attendees to be a senior and informed group including Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior officials from BEIS, MHCLG, DHSC and other relevant Departments, representatives of the food, drink and hospitality industry, including manufacturers, restaurants, retailers, and suppliers, legal and investment firms, property companies and landlords, local government, public health professionals, environmental groups, advocacy bodies, academics and commentators, charities and consumer groups, together with reporters from the national and trade media.
This is a full-scale conference taking place online***
- full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording to refer back to
- information-rich discussion involving key policymakers and stakeholders
- conference materials provided in advance, including speaker biographies
- speakers presenting via webcam, accompanied by slides if they wish, using the Cisco WebEx professional online conference platform (easy for delegates - we’ll provide full details)
- opportunities for live delegate questions and comments with all speakers
- a recording of the addresses, all slides cleared by speakers, and further materials, is made available to all delegates afterwards as a permanent record of the proceedings
- delegates are able to add their own written comments and articles following the conference, to be distributed to all attendees and more widely
- networking too - there will be opportunities for delegates to e-meet and interact - we’ll tell you how!
Full information and guidance on how to take part will be sent to delegates before the conference
