Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum

This conference will examine policy priorities for strengthening food security in the UK and building sector resilience in the face of present and future challenges.

It will be a timely opportunity to assess key developments in the context of the including the Agriculture Act, the National Food Strategy and the Environment Act.

Overall, the agenda will bring out latest thinking on:

• policy priorities, including outcomes from COP26
• climate change, sustainability and productivity
• the food market, supply chain, and prices
• ethics, quality, transparency, and standards
• international approaches and trade
• consumer choice, access to healthy food options, and the National Food Strategy
• land use management and ELM schemes

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials who are due to attend from the Defra; the Food Standards Agency; HM Treasury; DIT; thje CCC; the DHSC; the Cabinet Office; CAFRE; the CCS; DAFM; Food Standards Scotland; the FCDO; the Government Legal Department; the Isle of Man Government; The Scottish Government; DAERA, NI; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons.

This conference follows the publication of the Government’s Agricultural Transition Plan 2021 to 2024, and will discuss the changes it outlines alongside the implementation of the Government’s Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMS), which include:

• the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme
• the Local Nature Recovery scheme
• the Landscape Recovery scheme

The discussion will also consider the future for agricultural land use in the context of wider policy developments, such as the Government’s recently passed Environment Act, in addition to the Agriculture Act and Action Plan for Animal Welfare, as well as the wider context of the pandemic and the impact of Brexit on the agriculture sector.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote contributions including:

• Next steps for agriculture policy - with Victoria Prentis MP, Minister of State, Defra
• Next steps for agriculture and land use management - with Professor Gideon Henderson, Chief Scientific Advisor, Defra
• Effective environmental land management and supporting biodiversity - with Professor Michael Winter, Professor of Land Economy and Society, Centre for Rural Policy Research, University of Exeter; Board Member, Natural England; and Member, Joint Nature Conservation Committee

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament and officials from BEIS; the Climate Change Committee; the College of Agriculture, Food & Rural Enterprise; DAERA, NI; Defra; the Department for International Trade; the Environment Agency; the Food Standards Agency; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; the Forestry Commission; the Health and Safety Executive; the Isle of Man Government; the National Audit Office; Northern Ireland Environment Agency; the Planning Inspectorate; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government.

This conference will look at priorities for policy and industry practice in the UK in the context of key developments affecting food labelling - including the Government’s Tackling Obesity strategy.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote contributions from senior speakers including Jim Cathcart, Policy Director, UKHospitality; Christopher Conder, Team Leader, Market Interventions and Labelling for Animal Welfare, Defra; Sarah Cunningham, Team Leader, Food Information to Consumers, Defra; and Rebecca Sudworth, Director of Policy, Food Standards Agency.

Delegates will consider what is needed to prepare the hospitality industry for the implementation of Natasha’s Law, which came into force in October 2021, and the introduction of calorie labelling as part of the Government’s drive to tackle obesity, as well as wider issues for food safety.

Further areas for discussion include:

• the role of labelling in food safety and standards
• dovetailing with wider public health, animal welfare, and environmental goals
• the future outlook for food labelling across the supply chain
• priorities for future trade and independent geographical indications schemes

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials from CAFRE; DAERA, NI; Defra; DIT; DHSC; the Drinking Water Inspectorate; the Food Standards Agency; Food Standards Scotland; The Scottish Government; and the Welsh Government - as well as parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons.

When it happened…

Wednesday, 15 September 2021

What delegates came to discuss…

This conference will examine priorities and next steps for the National Food Strategy and the forthcoming white paper from the Government - and legislation that is expected to follow - as well as wider key issues for the food and drink sector.

It will be an opportunity to discuss priorities for the development of the white paper, which intends to effect a transformative improvement on the food system to make it fit for the future, with a particular focus on health and sustainability. The white paper is expected to be published in six months’ time, informed by Part Two of the National Food Strategy.

Speaking on the importance of the strategy, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Rt Hon George Eustice MP, said:

“The coronavirus pandemic has reminded us all of the vital role our food system plays in our daily lives.

With the growing pressures of climate change, biodiversity loss and the need for healthy affordable food, this key review will tackle issues of the utmost importance to us all.

The National Food Strategy is an opportunity for us to shape what food means to us as a society, and I look forward to working closely with Henry Dimbleby as we strive to build a robust food system fit for the future.”

The conference also takes place in the context of other relevant policy developments impacting the UK food and drink landscape, including the Government’s obesity strategy, the Environment Bill, and the Agriculture Act - as well as the impact of COVID-19 and the UK’s exit from the EU, with knock-on effects for future trade agreements.

Attendees

Oficials from the Cabinet Office; DAERA, NI; Defra; the Department for Communities, NI; the Department for International Trade; the Department of Health and Social Care; the Department of Health, ROI; the Food Standards Agency; Food Standards Scotland; the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office; the National Audit Office; the Planning Inspectorate; and the Welsh Government.

Representatives from Ashbury Labelling; A Team Foundation; Bangor University; BASF; Berry Gardens; Brighton and Hove City Council; British Association for Shooting and Conservation; British Soft Drinks Association; Cardiff University - School of Law and Politics; Clarke Willmott; Danone; Dawn Meats; FERA; Food and Drink Federation; Food Standards Agency; Food Standards Scotland; Frontier Economics; GM Freeze; Growing Real Food for Nutrition; Guy's and St Thomas Foundation; ICF Consulting; International Meat Trade Association; King's College London; Klinge Chemicals; Lancashire County Council; Landworkers Alliance; Leeds & York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Leeds City Council; McCormick; Neath Port Talbot Council; Obesity Action Scotland; Plunkett Foundation; Public Health England; REfUSE; Rothschild Foundation; Royal Agricultural University; Safefood; Savills; Slow Food Birmingham; Southampton City Council; Tees Esk Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust; University of Edinburgh; University of Exeter; University of Leeds; University of Surrey; Warwickshire County Council; West Wales Action for Mental Health; and Zero Carbon Forum.

Press: Food & Drink Technology and Transform Magazine.

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference follows the Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare, and will consider priorities for taking it forward and improving animal health, welfare, and standards in the UK.

The discussion will also take into account key policy developments delivered as part of the Action Plan, such as the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill and the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which aim to legislate on core aspects of animal welfare, enhance protections for kept animals and pets, and formally recognise animals as sentient beings.

We are pleased to be able to welcome keynote contributions on core issues from:

• Michael Seals, Chairman, Animal Health & Welfare Board for England, Defra
• Gareth Baynham-Hughes, Director, Animal and Plant Health and Welfare, Defra
• David Bowles, Head Public Affairs, RSPCA
• Professor Christianne Glossop, Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales
• Dr Steven McCulloch, Senior Lecturer in Human-Animal Studies, University of Winchester
• Mandy Nevel, Head of Animal Health and Welfare, AHDB

The agenda is structured to bring out latest thinking on:

• plans for a new approach to animal health, welfare, and standards
• improving welfare across the food and farming sector
• the development of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway
• enshrining animal sentience in law and improving the welfare of kept animals in the UK
• promoting high animal welfare standards abroad and in future trade

Attendees

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 DAERA, NI; Defra; the Department for International Trade; the Food Standards Agency; Food Standards Scotland; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; the Office of the Secretary of State for Scotland; the Veterinary Medicines Directorate; and the Welsh Government. Also due to attend are representatives from AB Agri; Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute; AIC; Animal Welfare Committee; Aquaculture Stewardship Council; Beta Bugs; Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums; Clarke Willmott; Compassion in World Farming; Downland Marketing; Dunbia; Farm Animal Welfare Consulting; Foyle Food Group; French Embassy; Humane Slaughter Association; International Meat Trade Association; IVC Evidensia; National Office Animal Health; NSF International; RSPCA; The British Horse Society; The Donkey Sanctuary; UK Centre for Animal Law (A-Law); University of Bristol/Animal Welfare Research Network; University of Edinburgh; University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science; University of Sussex; US Department of Agriculture; VetPartners; and World Horse Welfare.

A press pass has been reserved by a representative from IHS Markit.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording and transcript 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 are 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

Westminster Energy, Environment & Transport Forum policy conference
Net-zero, climate change and the food, drink and agriculture sector
Morning, Wednesday, 23rd June 2021

Full replays of Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

When it happened…

Wednesday, 14 July 2021

What delegates came to discuss…

This conference will be a timely opportunity to discuss key issues against a backdrop of significant change, with:

• the UK setting its own course for regulation and standards following Brexit
• the sector facing challenges in the wake of COVID-19
• the UK beginning to establish and finalise new international trade deals
• developments in consumer preferences, and opportunities they present for novel foods and other areas of innovation, as well as new approaches being adopted by food and drink businesses

Delegates will assess the implications for UK food safety, standards, and regulation, as well as the outlook for the sector, and priorities for conditions and pressures arising from future trade deals.

We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions at this conference from Emily Miles, Chief Executive Officer, Food Standards Agency; Helen Munday, President, Institute of Food Science & Technology; Tom Forshaw, Senior Analyst, Policy, AHDB; and Nick von Westenholz, Director, Trade and Business Strategy, NFU, and Member, Trade and Agriculture Commission - as well as contributions from Addleshaw Goddard; Burges Salmon; BSI Group; the Chartered Trading Standards Institute; Fera Science; Tate & Lyle PLC; UK Hospitality; and Which?.

Taking place as the UK agrees a free trade deal with Australia, the conference will also discuss the possible implications of the agreement for food standards in the UK and for future trade agreements. We are delighted to be able to welcome a contribution on food standards priorities and regulation from Professor Mark Booth, Chief Executive Officer, Food Standards Australia New Zealand at this conference.

Delegates will also discuss the key strategic priorities going forward to protect food standards following the Trade and Agriculture Commission’s final report, how the recent trade agreement followed the Commission’s report, and the opportunities for the UK to play a leading role on the global stage.

With the Government setting out its agenda for improving animal welfare in the Queen’s Speech - including a new action plan and developing an Animal Health and Welfare Pathway for the production of healthier animals - delegates will have the opportunity to assess what this raising of standards in domestic policy means for food standards in trade deals and food imports.

Overall, areas for discussion include:

• food regulation following exit from the EU - assessing the UK’s approach, and the future for regulatory collaboration and cooperation
• the impact of the pandemic - its effect on the regulatory landscape, and overcoming the challenges posed by COVID-19
• regulatory reform - assessing progress, as well as identifying further areas and options for change
• keeping pace - what more can be done to help local authorities, safety professionals, and the food industry as they adapt in an evolving, and increasingly diverse and innovative environment
• policy and international relationships - the future of food standards in the UK, and the outlook for future trade deals and their impact
• UK-Australia trade deal - assessing the protection of food standards within the agreement and the precedent it sets for future agreements

Who attended…

Officials from DAERA, NI; Defra; the Department for International Trade; the Department of Health and Social Care; the Drinking Water Inspectorate; the Food Standards Agency; Food Standards Scotland; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; the National Audit Office; the National Food Crime Unit; and the Welsh Government.

Representatives from Agricultural Industries Confederation; Aldi; Ashbury Labelling; Associated British Foods; Berry Gardens; Beyond GM; Clarke Willmott; Dawn Meats Group; Derbyshire County Council; Elanco Animal Health; Fera Science; Food Safety Authority of Ireland; Futura Foods UK; GLOBALG.A.P.; GM Freeze; Gowling WLG; Hovis; Institute of Food Science & Technology; Klinge Chemicals; Leatherhead Food Research; ML3 Technical Services; Moy Park; North Yorkshire County Council; NSF International; Quadram Institute Bioscience; Red Bull; Richardson Milling UK; Tate & Lyle; Tesco; The Andersons Centre; The Cannabis Trades Association; UK Association of Milk Banks; Unilever; University of Lincoln; University of Reading; University of Sussex; Waters Corporation and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Press: Bureau of Investigative Journalism; H2o Publishing and Unearthed.

Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum policy conference
Policy on consumption of HFSS products
Morning, Thursday, 1st July 2021

Full replays of Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum
The UK food supply chain - policy and support, EU and global relationships, fairness and environmental sustainability, and moving forward from COVID
Morning, Thursday, 27th May 2021

Full replays of Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum policy conference
New and emerging novel foods - the UK regulatory system, market development, safety, and innovation in the food sector
Morning, Tuesday, 27th April 2021

Full replays of Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum conferences are made available within one week of the live broadcast, providing a timely and permanent record of proceedings for delegates on the day, for our policymaker contacts in parliament, government and regulation, and wider stakeholders in business, advocacy groups and beyond.

Accompanying material includes a ready-reference transcript, copies of the speakers’ presentation material, the delegate information pack, and relevant articles supplied by attendees after the conference.

The agenda can be viewed here.

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will assess the key priorities for taking forward UK agriculture policy in the context of implementation of the Agriculture Act and the UK’s exit from the EU.

We are delighted to be able to include a ministerial address at this conference from Victoria Prentis MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Defra.

Areas for discussion include:

• the new payment system - managing the transition and priorities for collaboration, support, and engagement with the agriculture sector
• environmental land management - lessons from the pilots, fair measurement of the value of public goods, and taking into account the needs of farmers in more challenging settings
• regulation - setting and enforcing requirements and standards, coordination and support, and the way forward for simplification
• productivity and sustainability - achieving both economic and environmental goals, building net-zero into the future of agriculture, and priority areas for innovation, research and investment

The conference will be an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who are due to attend from Defra; BEIS; the Committee on Climate Change; the Environment Agency; the Forestry Commission; DAERA, NI; the Department for Infrastructure, NI; HM Revenue & Customs; the National Audit Office; The Scottish Government; The Planning Inspectorate; the Welsh Government; the Department for International Trade; and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The seminar is supported by The Icon Group, and organised on the basis of strict impartiality by the Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum.

The agenda

• The future for UK agricultural policy following EU exit
• ‘Successfully applying the concept of paying for environmental public goods’
• Priorities for managing the transition to the new payment system, inclusive approaches for effective delivery, and taking forward wider new national agricultural policy
• Land use, resource management and the future for productivity in the new rural policy landscape
• Delivering effective environmental land management - pilot progress, practicalities and support for farmers, the future for land use, resource management and productivity, and aligning with net-zero emission targets
• Next steps for agriculture policy in the UK

Key areas for discussion:

• the Agriculture Act - taking forward the new national policy for agriculture in the UK, following exit from the EU and the transition from CAP payments, looking at:
  
  • priorities for effective implementation
  • opportunities for working collaboratively to achieve successful delivery
  • engagement with the sector throughout the process
• transition and support - managing the transition to the new payment system, including:
  
  • the £1m Future Farming Resilience Funding Scheme - its impact in supporting farmers and providing guidance for the move towards the new approach to farming
  • addressing concerns over a lack of clarity on the latter years of the transition period for payments
  • the Government’s future subsidy approach - priorities for its development, and concerns that a UK approach to the agriculture industry around this would not be appropriate due to its devolved nature
• payments - the impact of moving towards a system of payment based on public goods, as well as:
  
  • ways that payments can incentivise the use of sustainable practices and provide a benefit to farmers
  • assessing the phased reduction of payments, and mitigating the impact of transition on farm businesses
  • addressing concerns around tenant farmer access to new payments
• environmental land management:
  
  • pilots so far - assessing progress, and lessons learnt to inform the development of the scheme, including around planning, payments, collaboration, guidance and delivery
  • measuring value:
    
    • latest thinking and approaches to fairly and effectively assessing environmental outcomes
    • options for accommodating the situation of farmers in more environmentally challenging areas
  • implementation - priorities for the successful application of paying for environmental public goods, and for making it work
  • land use and resource management - evaluating the environmental benefits and long-term opportunities, as well as:
    
    • impact of the payment transition - what the move to a payment system based on public money for public goods means for the future of land use and how resources are managed
    • priorities for local nature recovery - including habitat, species and natural flood management, as well as landscape recovery
• regulation - next steps for reform, including:
  
  • balancing minimum requirements with standards that farmers are paid to exceed
  • making the regulatory system more supportive and advisory
  • how to simplify and improve coordination in the regulatory landscape for farming
• improving productivity:
  
  • the contribution and role of productivity as part of the future outlook for farming
  • how the drive for productivity sits alongside environmental policy aims
  • identifying priority areas for innovation, research and investment
• net-zero - building climate adaptation and the meeting of decarbonisation targets into the future of agriculture:
  
  • the potential contribution of environmental management schemes and how they should be configured
  • supporting the sector to deliver the action required, at a time of considerable change and transition
  • what more needs to be done to meet the net-zero agenda

The policy context:

• the Agriculture Act - setting out the future for UK agriculture policy following the UK leaving the EU, and the move away from CAP to a public money for public goods system
• Environmental Land Management: test and trials - an update from Defra including findings so far around planning, guidance, collaboration, payments and delivery
• The Path to Sustainable Farming: An Agricultural Transition Plan 2021 to 2024 - from Defra:
  
  • setting out the agricultural transition period as the UK leaves the EU
  • outlining the phased reduction of direct payments, and the development and introduction of environmental land management schemes
• Farming Innovation Pathways - the competition launched by UKRI and Defra looking to advance research and development in agricultural innovation to address farming challenges, with funding split between feasibility projects and industrial research
• National food strategy for England - the independent review led by Henry Dimbleby, with recommendations on addressing systemic food chain challenges in agriculture, sustainability and the environment
• the Environment Secretary’s speech at the NFU conference 2021 - outlining the future of agriculture, and inviting farmers to take part in the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot, with expressions of interest being accepted in March
• Trade and Agriculture Commission: Final Report - with recommendations including that Government must maintain high food standards for imports in any future trade deal
• Subsidy control: designing a new approach for the UK - the Government’s closed consultation on the development of a national domestic subsidy approach, which works across the UK, following exit from the EU

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament and the House of Commons Library, and officials from BEIS; the Committee on Climate Change; DAERA, NI; Defra; the Department for Infrastructure, NI; the Department for International Trade; the Environment Agency; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; the Forestry Commission; HM Revenue & Customs; the National Audit Office; The Scottish Government; The Planning Inspectorate; the Valuation Office Agency 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 government and regulatory officials involved in this area of public policy, together with representatives of the agriculture and food and drink industry - including associations, manufacturers, retailers, and suppliers - local government officials, representatives of the agritech and crop science industries, environmental and conservation groups, academics, lawyers and consultancies, international attendees, 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 and transcript 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

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will be an early opportunity to discuss key developments in UK fisheries policy and implementation of the Fisheries Act following the end of the EU exit transition period and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

We are delighted to be able to include a keynote contribution from Fisheries Minister, Victoria Prentis MP.

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials who are due to attend from Defra; DfT; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; DIT; and the Welsh Government.

The agenda:

• UK fisheries policy and key priorities
• Opportunities going forward for UK fisheries and next steps for policy
• Developing fair and competitive practices around trade and quotas
• Strategic priorities for fisheries management across the UK
• The role of regulation in fisheries and marine life protection
• Fisheries within the wider maritime and ports environment
• Implementing sustainable fisheries management and protecting marine life

Relevant developments:

• The end of the transition period and the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement­ - with the MMO and devolved administrations issuing new fishing licences
• the Fisheries Act - with provisions on fishing rights as the UK leaves EU agreements, conservation, support for the fishing industry and ports, and for the Marine Management Organisation
• international agreements:
  
  • UK and Norway sign historic fisheries agreement - including annual agreements on quotas and access to waters for the two countries
  • a further UK agreement with the Faroe Islands, and a bilateral arrangements with Iceland and Greenland
• The Marine Management Organisation fast-tracks grants to help England’s ports and fishing industry - the MMO inviting applications for grants to help ports or harbours impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and seeking views on managing fisheries in Marine Protection Areas
• International Fisheries Management - the Government’s recent outline of developments and its policy approach for managing shared and international fisheries, working with other coastal states, RFMOs, the UN and other supranational organisations, and with devolved UK governments
• UK signs agreement with ICES demonstrating commitment to international marine science collaboration - Defra announcing cooperation with the International Council of the Exploration of the Sea on conservation, protection, the sustainable use of the marine environment and sustainable fisheries

Key areas for discussion:

• the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement­, further trade agreements and next steps for policy and implementation
  
  • assessing UK-EU trade deal outcomes - what they mean for the future of UK fisheries:
  • supporting fair trading - how best to determine which fish stocks fall under each territorial water in order to agree and develop the quotas
  • future opportunities
• internal UK relationships - the future for strategic coordination between the UK government and devolved administrations:
  
  • the shape of future joint working, with provisions in the Fisheries Act for a Joint Fisheries Statement to coordinate fisheries management and planning for sustainable stocks
  • priorities for the UK’s devolved administrations and for equitable sharing of opportunities, benefits and other outcomes of agreements with the EU and more widely
• sustainable fisheries management
  
  • the legislative framework - provisions and safeguards in the Fisheries Act and whether they go far enough, further priorities, and options for addressing concerns over possible loopholes
  • climate-smart fishing - implementation priorities and the impact of the Act in setting out a plan for protecting marine species
  • international leadership - the UK as a champion in sustainable fisheries policy and practice, and working with other coastal states on sustainability and marine species protection
  • regulation - the role of the Marine Management Organisation as it takes on powers to manage fishing activity and provide advice and guidance on sustainable fisheries
  • support and funding - replacing the EU European Maritime and Fisheries Fund and what social, economic and employment support is most needed by the fishing industry and communities
• the wider policy environment:
  
  • levelling-up and green recovery policy agendas - the role of fisheries and how they can be supported going forward to realise benefits and access funding and support
  • innovation - the development of Free Ports and development of the modernisation and digitisation of ports
  • the Government’s Maritime 2050 vision with its ambitions to improve the safety, employment protections and performance of the fishing industry, as well as on addressing environmental and climate challenges

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 BEIS; Defra; the Department of International Trade; the Department for Transport; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; the Isle of Man Government; 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 government officials in this area of public policy, together with other stakeholders concerned with or affected by developments in UK fisheries policy, including food market and supply chain personnel, fisherman and fishery advocacy groups, foreign embassies, conservation authorities, local government, environmental campaigners, members from the wider ports and maritime sector, scientists, academics and researchers, as well as members of 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 and transcript 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

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will examine the future for food labelling in the UK.

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials due to attend from Defra; DHSC; the FCDO; DIT; the FSA; POST; DAERA, NI; Food Standards Scotland; The Scottish Government; the Welsh Government; the National Food Crime Unit; the Government Legal Department; and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, ROI.

The agenda:

• The current landscape for food labelling in the UK
• Emerging issues for front of pack labelling
• Policy priorities - the Obesity Strategy, the National Food Strategy and front-of-pack nutrition labelling
• Ensuring consumer safety - improving food standards and implementing Natasha’s Law
• Case study - adapting labelling guidance to support flexibility in the food chain during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Developing an international standard for food labelling online
• Food labelling and the future trading relationships - geographical indicators, health marks and claims, organic standards, and the UK internal market

A scan of relevant developments:

• UK transition:
  
  • EC looking to legislate for a harmonised front-of-pack labelling scheme
  • concerns around the potential impact a US trade deal could have on food labelling regulations in the UK, including questions raised over the future food standards in response to the rejection of an amendment to the Agriculture Bill to stop lower-standard imports
  • New rules and logos to protect British food and drink - set to replace EU schemes at the end of the Transition Period, which will include logos to guarantee authenticity for certified products, marking Traditional Speciality Guaranteed (TSG), Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indications (PGI)
• New voluntary calorie guidelines to help industry tackle obesity - Government encouraging the food industry to adopt calorie reduction guidelines
• Front-of-pack nutrition labelling in the UK: building on success - the government consultation on front-of-pack nutrition labelling schemes, seeking views on: whether front-of-pack schemes should reflect the Government’s latest dietary advice on sugar and fibre
• Natasha’s Law - requiring food businesses to include full ingredients labelling on pre-packed for direct sale foods, with changes due to be introduced in October 2021
• further policy initiatives - Tackling obesity, PHE’s Commercial infant and baby food and drink: evidence review, the Select Committee on Food, Poverty, Health and the Environment’s Hungry for Change: fixing the failures in food report, and Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020

Areas for discussion:

• Tackling obesity - the new government strategy and its implications for food labelling, with plans for:
  
  • consultation - Front-of-pack nutrition labelling in the UK: building on success, as well as views expected to be sought on marketing and labelling of infant foods
  • hospitality - introduction of calorie labelling for food sold in large restaurants, takeaways and cafes
  • alcohol - consulting on the inclusion of calorie labelling on alcohol products
  • HFSS marketing - restrictions on the promotion of high fat, sugar and salt products within stores and their advertisement online and on TV
• further possible developments - allergens, country of origin, and sustainability labelling
• the COVID-19 pandemic - the sector’s response and approach to supporting food supply
• The end of the transition period:
  
  • UK choices - the impact of future trade deals on UK food labelling going forward, and opportunities and challenges of any divergence on the future relationship with the EU
  • impact - what any potential changes mean for UK food and drink businesses including health marks and claims, origin labelling, organic standards and geographical indicators
  • geographical indicators - the effect of introduction of new TSG, PDO and PGI schemes, and issues for their implementation, marketing and enforcement
  • NI - implications for products sold in Northern Ireland, including:
    
    • concerns around additional costs for complying with new regulatory border checks
    • EU labelling requirements for UK food businesses to include names and addresses of EU importers on pre-packed food labels
  • the UK internal market white paper - possibility of food labelling powers for Scotland and Wales, and what it would mean for consumers, suppliers and other stakeholders
• reform to FOPL and other areas of labelling:
  
  • looking at products sold both within and outside the UK internal market, allergens, consumer protection and clarity to address health inequalities, healthy choices and particular areas of focus including calories and sugar, infant nutrition, alcohol, and novel food products
  • Natasha’s Law - challenges and next steps for food and drink businesses in meeting requirements before it is introduced
  • calls for the food industry to develop carbon footprint labelling to improve public knowledge of the environmental impact of food products
• National Food Strategy:
  
  • truthfulness - the call in Part One for industry to address use of misleading language on packaging, exaggerated health claims or information omitted about natural ingredients with high sugar levels
• the Obesity Strategy:
  
  • public health messaging - effective strategies for utilising front of packaging food labels to encourage people to make healthy choices
  • alcohol calorie labelling - the impact it would have on public health, consumers and the sector
  • engagement and compliance - options for supporting the food and drink industry to implement commitments within the strategy
  • informed decisions - ensuring people understand upcoming changes in food labelling and that they can benefit from any reforms
• Out of home:
  
  • reform - government confirming in its consultation response that it will legislate to introduce mandatory calorie labelling on food and drink for large businesses such as pubs and restaurants
  • issues for the hospitality industry - as they also deal with restrictions and new procedures put in place as part of the response to COVID-19
• Online:
  
  • priorities for improving the labelling of food and drink products online and protecting consumers, with the UK due to present an international standard for online sales to the Codex Committee on Food Labelling later this year

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

This one looks no different. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, as well as officials from Defra; DHSC; the Food Standards Agency; the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; Food Standards Scotland; The Scottish Government; the Welsh Government; the National Food Crime Unit; the Department for International Trade; the Government Legal Department; and the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (ROI).

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

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference will examine key issues for food security and UK supply chain.

The discussion is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials due to attend from Defra; DIT; the FSA; the FCDO; DHSC; the NAO; the National Food Crime Unit; the CMA; the Crown Commercial Service; the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, ROI; the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; and the Welsh Government.

The discussion at a glance:

• legislation - proposals in the Agriculture Act and the Environment Bill, including moving towards payment for public goods and the introduction of an Office for Environmental Protection (OEP)
• UK transition - latest developments in the trade negotiations with the EU and their potential implications
• COVID-19 - including the impact of the pandemic on supply chains and those working in them, and on global food security
• net-zero - the Government’s commitment on emissions with its 2050 target

Relevant developments:

• Brexit Transition negations as the end-of-year deadline approaches
• the EFRA Committee on COVID-19 and food supply report:
  
  • with recommendations - on consulting on legislation for a Right to Food after the Food Strategy’s publication, and appointing a Minister for Food Security
  • the Government response - on support for suppliers, vulnerable groups’ access to food, reducing food waste, working with charities and local government, and monitoring food insecurity
• legislation - the Agriculture Act and the Environment Bill as the latter continues its passage through Parliament
• £1m to support transition to future farming system - Defra’s consultation on the future Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme and the Future Farming Resilience Funding scheme
• £25m available to help farmers boost productivity - the final round of the Countryside Productivity Small Grants scheme
• the Trade and Agriculture Commission - created to advise government on trade competitiveness that supports animal welfare and environmental standards, consumer interests, and export and other opportunities for the UK food sector
• Farming for the future Policy and progress update - the Future for food, farming and the environment policy statement outlining further information about England’s agricultural policy
• A vision for future farming - outlined in a ministerial speech to farmers, focusing on increasing sustainable productivity and rolling out new technology in agriculture
• UK-wide consultation into dairy sector to tackle supply chain issues launched - looking at fairness in contract conditions and examining the market power of buyers
• Land use: Policies for a Net Zero UK - the CCC report to Parliament which found that national plans affecting sectors such as agriculture are not taking sufficient account of climate change

Key discussion areas:

• EU trade negotiations:
  
  • fishing rights, food and drink tariffs and reducing the risk of food shortages from January
  • market access, supply chain resilience and food standards
  • new trading relationships, the future relationship with the EU, and its impact on food standards, the food and farming workforce, and access to markets for UK businesses
  • regulatory systems - including the OEP, implications of divergence at the end of the EU Exit Transition Period on domestic food production
• ELM - shaping an Environmental Land Management scheme to support sector productivity and meet environmental targets, as Defra launches a consultation on what any future scheme will look like
• the obesity and sustainability policy agendas - how the sector is adapting to moves to sustainable diets and net-zero targets, and its impact on food security
• innovation - new developments in crop science, agri-food and land use and assessing their potential in supporting industry to meet productivity and net zero emissions targets
• agricultural land use, sustainable diets and the pathway to net zero

The agenda:

• ‘UK Food Security and how has COVID-19 impacted it?’ 
• Key issues for food security and UK supply chain - developing an Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme that supports domestic food production, maintains standards and aids sector recovery from the pandemic
• Stakeholder perspectives on UK food security - the impact of Brexit, meeting environmental targets, and developing funding and regulatory mechanisms to support production
• Ethical questions: where and how should we grow our food on the road to net zero
• The effect of moves towards sustainable diets on UK food security and climate targets - managing the transition, adapting to consumer trends, and opportunities for novel foods
• Improving productivity and impact of regulatory divergence - opportunities and evolving issues for agri-food and crop science
• The Trade and Agriculture Commission and UK trade policy - developing markets, delivering for consumers, and supporting international development

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, and officials from Defra; the Department for International Trade; the Food Standards Agency; the FCDO; the DHSC; the National Audit Office; the National Food Crime Unit; the CMA; the Crown Commercial Service; the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, ROI; the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; and the Welsh Government. Also due to attend are representatives from the AHDB; Ashbury Labelling; Bimringham Food Council CIC; Centre for Alternative Technology; CIELivestock; Clarke Willmott; Clasado Biosciences; Co-op; Compass Group UK & Ireland; Craigmore; Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture; Devenish; Elsoms Seeds; Finsbury Foods; Flood Prevention Society; Food and Drink Federation; Food Standards Scotland; Holstein UK; Imperial College London; IntelliDigest; Kennedys Law; Lantra; Linklaters; Medway Council, Public Health; Met Office; Minor Weir and Willis; National Farmers Union; NSF International; Regenerative Food and Farming CIC; Richardson Milling UK; Royal Danish Embassy; RSPCA; RSPCA Assured; Telecommantra; UCL Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering; Unite the Union; University of Leeds; University of Manchester (STFC Food Network Policy and Governance Liaison); University of Surrey; University of Sussex; University of the West of England, Bristol; University of York and WWF.

Press passes have been reserved by representatives from the Belfast Telegraph; Farmers Guardian; IHS Markit; Wicked Leeks; and 2020Dentistry.

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

***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

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference focuses on the National Food Strategy for England.

Delegates will assess Part One of the Strategy - and look ahead to priorities for Part Two, expected to be published early next year.

It is bringing together key stakeholders and policymakers - including Henry Dimbleby, Independent Lead, National Food Strategy, as well as Minette Batters, President, National Farmers Union; Stefano Agostini, Chief Executive Officer, Nestle UK; Emily Miles, Chief Executive Officer, Food Standards Agency; and Ian Wright, Chief Executive, Food and Drink Federation.

Also due to attend are parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, along with policy officials from Defra; DHSC; the FSA; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; the NAO; the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; DIT; Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Isle of Man Government; the National Food Crime Unit and the Welsh Government.

The agenda:

• Progress on the National Food Strategy
• Key priorities for the agricultural sector
• Stakeholder perspectives on part one of the Strategy
  
  • Supporting access to good quality nutritious food for children and the vulnerable
  • Maintaining high environmental and animal welfare standards in future trading relationships
• Stakeholder perspectives on part two of the strategy - developing a comprehensive plan for transforming the food system
• Linking with wider Government policy and the obesity strategy

Key areas for discussion:

Priorities for Part Two and wider government policy - looking ahead to expected recommendations for more far-reaching reform of the UK food system, with emphasis on health and sustainability:

• COVID-19 - how the pandemic has caused behavioural and organisational changes, and affected structures within the food system, as well as implications for food policy and what can be learned for the future and what has been learnt from the second national lockdown in England
• policy coordination - how the National Food Strategy links with wider Government policies and initiatives, looking at:
  
  • farming and land use - in the context of the Agriculture Act, Environment Bill and the 25 Year Environment Plan, including support for the farming industry
  • Tackling Obesity - the way forward for the Government’s strategy in the context of latest nutritional science, and informing future interventions around diet-related health
  • assessing the relationships and joint working between government departments that work on the different aspects of the food system
• food security - following the EFRA Committee on COVID-19 and food supply report:
  
  • with recommendations - on consulting on legislation for a Right to Food after the Food Strategy’s publication, and appointing a Minister for Food Security
  • the Government response - on support for suppliers, vulnerable groups’ access to food, reducing food waste, working with charities and local government, and monitoring food insecurity - as well as the recent decision not to extend food vouchers to the half term or Christmas holidays

Perspectives on Part One

• social welfare and trade - assessing the Strategy’s focus on practical, pragmatic activities to be undertaken by government, designed to:
  
  • support the country through the turbulence caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
  • prepare for the end of the EU exit transition period on 31 December 2020 
• tackling deprivation - proposals on improving the diets of the most disadvantaged children, through:
  
  • expanding eligibility for the Free School Meal (FSM) scheme - with discussion expected on:
    
    • its temporary expansion to children with no recourse to public funds
    • the impact and future role of advocacy initiatives such as the campaign led by Marcus Rashford
  • extending the Holiday Activity and Food Programme
  • increasing the value of Healthy Start vouchers
  • extending the work of the Food to the Vulnerable Ministerial Task Force
• future trade strategy - putting sovereignty, standards, and scrutiny its heart, asking the Government to:
  
  • only agree to cut tariffs in new trade deals on products which meet core standards across animal welfare, climate and the environment
  • adopt a statutory responsibility to commission and publish an independent report on any proposed trade agreements
  • give Parliament the time and opportunity to properly scrutinise any new trade deal

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, as well as Defra; DHSC; the Food Standards Agency; the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office; the National Audit Office; the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; Department for International Trade; Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, Isle of Man Government; the National Food Crime Unit and the Welsh Government.

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

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference will examine the next steps for agricultural land use, and the future for agricultural policy and regulation.

It will be an opportunity for stakeholders and policymakers to discuss:

• key developments in policy, legislation and regulation and priorities for stakeholders
• addressing the productivity and environment challenges for the sector
• the latest science and innovation in this area

We also expect discussion to reflect the impact on agricultural land use of the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

• the effect on farming communities and those living in them
• how environmental stewardship and land practices have been affected
• what can be learned from innovation in response to the crisis - and adaptation to new working, supply and market conditions - that can be taken forward
• support needed by the sector to recover from the extreme pressures of the pandemic on the sector and its suppliers, customers and partners

Why this is relevant now - the context:

• Government moving forward with major policy initiatives, including the updated Agriculture Bill and the Environment Bill, and the establishment of the Office for Environmental Protection
• Recently-announced government schemes to enable the agricultural sector to recover from COVID-19, including the Bounce Back plan aiming to support the UK’s supply-chain
• The EU Commission’s Farm to Fork Strategy - detailing plans to widen the practice of organic farming and reduce the likes of pesticide use, nutrient losses, and fertilizer use
• Government’s vision for the future of the sector, outlined in a ministerial speech to farmers, focusing on increasing sustainable productivity and rolling out new technology in agriculture

• Creation of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, to advise government on trade competitiveness that supports animal welfare and environmental standards, consumer interests, and export and other opportunities for the UK food sector

• Findings from the Committee on Climate change, including:
  
  • the importance of sustainable land use in enabling the UK to meet the Government’s net-zero target, as highlighted in the Land use: Policies for a Net Zero UK report
  • the latest progress report to Parliament finding that policies and national plans affecting sectors such as agriculture are not taking sufficient account of climate change

The discussion in detail:

The Agriculture Bill

Including moving to a system of payment for public goods in areas such as environmental and animal welfare standards, with discussion on:

• designing a payments system that promotes sustainability and stewardship, alongside enabling productivity and efficient and competitive farming
• the proposed Environmental Land Management scheme, and incentivising farmers and land owners for public goods such as soil health, reducing emissions, and protecting biodiversity
• initial thinking for how the scheme will be operated and issues emerging from Defra’s consultation feeding into structuring the detailed delivery arrangements

The Environment Bill

Including implementation of the Office for Environmental Protection, looking at:

• the role it will play in scrutinising environmental policy and law
• the potential future relationship between the regulator and the sector

Innovation and industry practice

• priorities for biodiversity and soil health

• technological and scientific innovation in the context of the CCC’s Land Use report
• equipping farmers with the knowledge and expertise to deliver sustainable land management, drawing on examples of best practice domestically and from international stakeholders
• further encouraging adoption of new farming methods - including among SMEs and small farms - and tackling barriers to the take up of innovation
• opportunities for cross-sector collaboration in both boosting research and improving take up
• improving the translation of research from industry and universities to the farm gate and realising the potential of disruptive technologies such as AI, drones, and robotics
• how best to harness new innovations to increase food production in a way that delivers environmental benefits

The agenda:

• Adapting agriculture to the challenges of climate change and the future of food security
• Transforming farming - sustainability, innovation, public goods and productivity:
  
  • Developing an agricultural system that delivers public goods and improves productivity
  • Increasing soil health - sustainable food production and regenerative agriculture
  • Supporting biodiversity and species protection across agriculture
  • Why trees will provide the roots for the new agricultural revolution
  • Balancing domestic agriculture policy priorities - productivity, the environment and volatility
• Implementing new technology and addressing barriers to adoption
• International case studies on agricultural land use - increasing food production and improving environmental standards
• Next steps for policy in agriculture and land use management

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

This one’s no different. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, and officials from Defra; the Animal and Plant Health Agency; BEIS; CAFRE; Department for International Trade; the Environment Agency; the Food Standards Agency; HM Revenue & Customs; the National Audit Office; DAERA, NI; the Northern Ireland Environment Agency; The Scottish Government and the Welsh Government.

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

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference will discuss latest thinking and next steps for reducing food packaging and waste - including single use plastic - and strategies for encouraging positive consumer and supply chain behaviour.

Areas for discussion include:

• policy priorities for reducing food packaging and waste
• food surplus distribution schemes - their role and how they and supply chain partners have been impacted by COVID-19
• reducing household and business waste - looking at priorities, with discussion expected on:
  
  • standardised and consistent collection policies
  • expansion of the opportunities to recycle
  • the impact of the pandemic on household behaviour, and the temporary closures of recycling plants and changes to waste collection procedures
• reducing waste in agriculture - and mitigating the effect of changes in climate, and the pandemic, on agricultural waste
• single use plastics in the food and drink industry - progress and next steps for its reduction, including:
  
  • the impact of industry initiatives
  • innovation in packaging
  • what more needs to be done across the retail and hospitality sectors

Why this is particularly relevant now - the context:

• The Environment Bill progressing through Parliament, which aims to establish a new set of policies and provisions for protecting the natural environment and requires the Government to set at least one long-term target in each of the four priority areas (air quality, biodiversity, water, and resource efficiency and waste reduction)
• The ongoing National Food Strategy and its review of the UK food system - with the recent publication of the interim report and its identification of key areas of focus, including:
  
  • agricultural production
  • supply chains
  • relationships between businesses and consumers
• The UK Plastics Pact initiating a collaborative approach across the sector to reduce plastic use across food, and for all plastic packaging to be 100% recyclable and reusable by 2025
• Government plans to introduce a tax on plastic packaging which does not consist of at least 30% recycled materials from April 2022
• Government plans to roll out a Deposit Return Scheme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for household items like plastic bottles, with potential scope for aluminium cans and glass bottles
• The recent report by the Committee on Climate Change calling for policies to encourage consumers to reduce food waste, and target-setting across public and private sectors to reduce food waste, as well as for mandatory business food waste reporting
• Allocation of funding in the Industrial Strategy’s Transforming Food Production Challenge Fund for sustainable agriculture projects including those aimed at reducing waste
• Latest Defra research finding an almost 60% drop in plastic bag sales in the last year and a 95% drop since the 5p charge was introduced in 2015
• Funding from the Government aimed at encouraging innovative solutions in areas such as behavioural change and repurposing food waste

The discussion in detail:

The policy landscape

Assessing developments in  food waste reduction in the UK, including:

• The upcoming second stage of consultation on the flagship Resources and Waste Strategy set to take place in early 2021 in order to meet the Government’s target of eliminating avoidable waste of all kinds by 2050, and latest progress on achieving key objectives, including:
  
  • the setting of legal powers for food waste targets
  • building up food redistribution systems
  • working more effectively with waste management groups to further reduce the waste being sent to landfill, and increase redistribution and repurposing where possible
  • improvements to labelling and consumer information, and the opportunities this can present for reducing waste and encouraging positive behaviour change
  • progress on developing effective and compulsory UK-wide waste separation systems, and steps for reducing livestock and feedstock wastage on agriculture land
• The Environment Bill - examining its measures for improving resource and waste efficiency, such as:
  
  • the suggested ban on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries, and assessing its potential effectiveness in reducing the carbon lifespan of plastic products
  • providing environmental enforcers with enhanced powers to tackle waste crime and violators
  • accelerating the implementation Extended Producer Responsibility, and its potential impact on ensuring products are recycled or disposed of sustainably

Industry issues and initiatives

Food redistribution and collection systems, and developing waste efficiency across food and industry supply chains - including assessing resilience during the COVID-19 disruption:

• the challenges presented by the COVID-19 crisis for waste collection, redistribution, and recycling, how the sector adapted, and what can be learned going forward, with discussion expect on:
  
  • the government funding for food redistribution organisations in England, and what it meant for operational resilience
  • recent government investment in manufacturing capacities for the food and drink sector to cut costs and reduce food waste across supply chains
  • work across the food and retail industry to prevent wastage and deliver food to the vulnerable
  • setting clear guidance for waste collection across local authorities and effectively continuing waste management services, including in waste separation where still possible
  • communicating developments to residents - following guidance on priorities during the pandemic provided by the Government
• ensuring that supply chains work effectively, and encourage behaviour change and resource efficiency, and the roles of stakeholders across the food system, looking at:
  
  • latest thinking on innovative solutions for tackling food waste - looking at developing new materials, repurposing waste created by supply chains, and communication with consumers
  • the impact of voluntary agreements such as the Courtauld Commitment 2025 on delivering change across businesses, improving resource efficiency, encouraging collaboration, and expanding food waste collection sites 

Innovation

Single use plastic packaging for food and delivering innovative and recyclable plastic materials, looking at:

• developing strategies for reducing plastic packaging across food products, and accelerating the shift away from single use items and to sustainable and recyclable alternatives
• policy options for accelerating the shift away from non-recyclable packaging for food and drink - such as:
  
  • the anticipated Plastic Packaging Tax aimed at products made with less than 30% recycled plastic
  • the ban on single use plastics, including straws and drink stirrers used across retail and hospitality now set to come into place in October 2021
• encouraging innovation in plastic materials and design, such as the £60m UKRI Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging challenge for development of a more sustainable plastic packaging value chain and the creation of recyclable products
• best practice for implementing a Deposit Return Scheme, and latest thinking around policy, regulation, and scrutiny - including around producer accountability, the role of retailers and local authorities, and how the scheme will be costed and financed

The agenda:

• Assessing the landscape for food waste in the UK and priorities for addressing challenges across the system
• Supporting food redistribution during COVID-19 disruption - funding, maintaining resilience, and working with supply chain partners
• Food waste reduction measures across households and industry - improving local collection scope and management, reuse and recycling opportunities, and encouraging behaviour change
• Reducing waste in agriculture - low-carbon land use policy, supporting sustainable farming practices, and opportunities for repurposing agriculture waste
• Delivering a circular economy for food and drink packaging
• International case study: reducing the supply of single use plastic items
• Innovation in food and drink packaging and the shift away from single use items - developing new materials, improving recycling methods, and funding and incentives
• Policy priorities for plastic packaging reduction - EPR and accountability, deposit return schemes, and the roles of businesses and local government 

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

This conference looks no different. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons Library, and officials from Defra; BEIS; the Food Standards Agency; the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; the Department for International Trade; the Office of Science and Technology and the Welsh Government.

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

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***

This conference examines key issues for the future of food regulation.

The discussion at a glance:

• future regulatory systems in the UK - options, and the impact of future trade deals, and adapting and responding to COVID-19 at a national and local level
• local regulation and enforcement
• the Food Standards Agency’s Regulating our Future programme - aimed at creating a more modern, flexible, and responsive regulatory system
• what more can be done to support local authorities
• catering for an evolving and increasingly diverse and innovative sector
• the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and its wider impact on the regulatory landscape

The discussion in detail:

Developing the regulatory system - accounting for risk, accessibility for stakeholders, and enabling early intervention

• a risk-based approach - the practicalities of reform
• accessibility - what more can be done to scale up online registration and overcome some of the issues faced by business, including producing evidence of compliance
• data - the potential role for the FSA’s risk engine and other approaches - segmenting businesses upon registration, with regulatory controls tailored to specific food safety risks
• technology - to help meet future challenges and alert regulators to possible areas of concern, coupled with data analytics

Financial sustainability of the regulatory system

• a long term funding model - next steps for development
• widening cross-government support
• passing the costs to businesses - the implications

Enforcement at a local level

• Primary Authority National Inspection Strategies - further development following the initial pathfinder programmes, such as in Wakefield Council
• priorities for local authorities - ensuring the are able to focus on poorly performing businesses
• support for local authorities - what more can be done to help them cater to an evolving and increasingly diverse and innovative sector
• the COVID-19 response - and lessons that have been learned and can be carried forward

Trading relationships and the future of regulation

• UK ports - priorities for maintaining health standards and customs checks
• the impact of possible regulatory changes - on the relationship between the UK and the countries it trades with
• regulatory cooperation - maximising opportunities cross-border and across the UK

The context at a glance:

COVID-19

• contingency plans around the meat industry 
• FSA guidance for industry and the public - on food business responsibilities and best practice, operational and manufacturing safety, allergen labelling, and risks

International trade, and food and environmental standards

• regulatory alignment - rejection by the Government as trade talks continue with the EU 
• UK food standards - government commitments that they will not be jeopardised in trade
• additional support for the food industry - including plans to increase trading opportunities with markets such as Japan, the US, New Zealand and Australia - announced by DIT and Defra

Food safety and regulatory reform

• the NAO Ensuring food safety and standards report - which raised concerns including regarding the future financial sustainability of the regulatory system
• Smarter rules for safer food - Defra’s announcement that SRSF regulations will continue to apply to the UK
• creating a fairer supply chain and protecting dairy farmers - with Defra consulting on new strategies and regulations
• risk analysis - the FSA outlining a revised science and evidence-based process for regulated products, health risks of genetically modified foods, and food production following the transition period

The agenda:

• Analysing the implementation of new regulatory systems, responding to changing need during the pandemic, and preparing for the future trading relationship with the EU and more widely
• Ensuring value for money in food safety and standards
• Key issues for food regulation and enforcement at a local level - adapting to COVID-19, supporting local authorities and food businesses, and ensuring safety
• Cross border collaboration and regulatory cooperation
• Priorities for the regulatory system - supporting consumers and food businesses adapting their offering through the pandemic, food standards, and the impact of future trading relationship options

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders.

It’s certainly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, and officials from Defra; DHSC; the Food Standards Agency; the National Audit Office; the Department for International Trade; DFID; the Department of Foreign Affairs; Crown Commercial Services; the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, ROI; the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; Food Standards Scotland and the Welsh Government.

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

***Full-scale policy conference taking place online***
This conference focuses on key policy developments and next steps for reducing obesity in England.  

Areas for discussion include:

• the Government’s Tackling Obesity strategy - looking at implementation and next steps for enabling healthy food choices
• the food environment - including labelling, marketing and in-house promotions, as well as local public health initiatives and encouraging healthy lifestyles
• tackling inequalities - including access to weight management services and the role of primary care
• COVID-19 - the impact of the pandemic on food and lifestyle habits, assessing support measures, and implications for public health going forward

The conference is bringing together stakeholders with key policy officials who are due to attend from DCMS; DHSC; MHCLG; Defra; the National Audit Office; DAERA NI; and the Welsh Government.

The agenda:

• Assessing the progress and effectiveness of obesity interventions so far
• The impact of COVID-19 on consumer behaviour and eating habits
• The obesity challenge and the food and drink industry
• The Obesity Strategy and supporting consumers to make healthy choices - calorie labelling implementation, HFSS product marketing, and in-store promotions
• Opportunities for supporting people access a healthy active lifestyle
• Improving public health and developing a healthy local food environment
• Priorities for tackling health inequalities, supporting access to expanded weight management services and the role of primary care
• Next steps for taking forward the Obesity Strategy

Areas for discussion:

• Tackling Obesity and the wider policy context:
  
  • next steps - options going forward in the context of the Obesity Strategy and options for further measures that may be required, including around reformulation programmes, infant food calorie labelling, and health in the workplace
  • coordination - how the obesity strategy fits in with the wider policy environment, including:
    
    • the National Food Strategy, which is expected to publish recommendations for government in the Spring
    • development of the new National Institute for Health Protection which brings together functions for health improvement and prevention 
• changing the food environment:
  
  • implementation - and impact of restrictions affecting labelling, marketing and advertising of foods on better enabling people to make informed, healthy food choices
  • FOPNL - clarity and accessibility, effectively supporting healthier choices, balancing warnings and positive choices, and how much labelling should follow dietary advice around sugar
  • calorie labelling on food menus:
    
    • implementation - key issues for the out of home industry, and support that might be needed to enable new rules to be put in place
    • consumers - priority target groups, and best practice for effectively supporting both healthy decisions and the understanding of the nutritional value of a meal, as well as its calories
    • innovation - the opportunities presented for out of home meal reformulation
  • in-store HFSS promotions:
    
    • support for retailer compliance including smaller stores
    • the impact of placement restrictions for HFSS products
    • opportunities for using volume and location-based promotions for healthy products
    • the potential impact of new restrictions on HFSS product promotions in retail settings from April 2022, and enforcement processes and sanctions
  • advertising restrictions - the impact and implications for marketers and advertising platforms on encouraging reformulation to meet requirements, and on reducing rates of obesity
  • voluntary sugar reduction targets - assessing implementation by industry, remaining barriers, and how to improve progress in the out of home sector 
• COVID-19 - assessing the impact, the policy response and resulting changes:
  
  • support - with the increased risk of more extreme symptoms, assessing Government help for those affected to lose excess weight during the pandemic, and its impact
  • lockdown - working from home and changes to lifestyles and eating habits, and what this has meant for people’s food choices, weight and health during the pandemic, and the implications 
• tackling inequalities and improving access to services:
  
  • priorities - particularly in addressing obesity in the context of the pandemic
  • tackling underlying factors:
    
    • latest thinking on the links between deprivation and poverty
    • implications of research finding people from a BAME background are more likely to have poor health outcomes, and be more vulnerable to obesity and other related conditions
  • promoting public health and engagement:
    
    • assessing what is needed from the new Better Health campaign
    • opportunities for enabling people to have a healthy, active lifestyle
    • the ways that people can be supported to access weight management services
  • the role of primary care - assessing how services are being made more widely available on the NHS, and learning from the strong uptake of the expanded diabetes prevention programme

Relevant developments:

• Restricting promotions of products high in fat, sugar and salt: enforcement - consultation on processes for checking compliance, and on potential sanctions
• Tackling Obesity: empowering adults and children to live healthier lives - the Government’s strategy focusing on:
  
  • the food environment - introducing change and helping people to make healthier decisions by:
    
    • Front-of-pack nutrition labelling in the UK: building on success - consulting on the traffic light system currently in place, as well as alcohol calorie labelling
    • calories and promotions - legislating for large out of home companies having to include calorie food labels, and on HFSS promotion based on volume and in-store location
    • marketing - introducing a 9pm watershed for the advertisement of HFSS products and consulting on restricting HFSS advertising online
  • preventative healthcare - and provision of NHS support to those who are overweight:
    
    • services - expansion of weight management and improving access given to those with obesity and at high risk, and expanding the NHS diabetes prevention programme
    • Major new campaign encourages millions to lose weight and cut COVID-19 risk - a new Better Health campaign as well as a free 12-week NHS Weight Loss Plan app
    • workforce development - the opportunity for primary care network staff to train as healthy weight coaches, easing access to specialist support, and incentivising GP referrals
  • Introducing a total online advertising restriction for products high in fat, sugar and salt­ - DHSC consulting on how this measure could be designed 
• COVID-19:
  
  • recently reported comments from Professor Dame Sally Davies attributing the UK’s number of COVID-19 fatalities in part to a failure to tackle obesity
  • the impact on eating and exercise habits, and the disproportionate risks to people who are obese and those from some ethnic minority backgrounds 
• Surge in people checking their risk of type 2 diabetes - NHS reporting that almost 300,000 people have taken up the Healthier You Diabetes Prevention Programme since it was expanded in July
• Third year of industry progress to reduce sugar published - PHE’s annual voluntary sugar reduction report finding average reduction across all categories at 3%, and soft drinks industry levy success 
• Government response: mandating calorie labelling in the out-of-home sector - the consultation outcome with:
  
  • forthcoming legislation to make it compulsory for larger businesses
  • possible extension to smaller businesses, who are meanwhile encouraged to voluntarily calorie label
• the National Food Strategy for England - with the second chapter in the spring which will include recommendations related to the Obesity Strategy
• Childhood obesity - the NAO’s recent report on the progress made so far in the Government’s approach to reducing child obesity and calling for greater urgency, coordination and commitment
• National Child Measurement Programme: childhood obesity - research by University College London on what can be learned from local authorities that have a downward trend in childhood obesity
• the National Institute for Health Protection - bringing together PHE and other bodies for the COVID-19 response, as well as other key functions of health improvement and prevention
• the Health and Wellbeing Fund ­- £7.6m from government
  
  • supporting 19 projects to reduce health inequalities among new mothers and babies, including preventing obesity and diabetes
  • the fund will focus on mothers living in black, Asian or minority ethnic communities or deprived areas

Policy officials attending:

Our forums are known for attracting strong interest from policymakers and stakeholders. Places have been reserved by officials from the DCMS; Defra; DAERA NI; the DHSC; the MHCLG; the National Audit Office and the Welsh Government.

This is a full-scale conference taking place online***

• full, four-hour programme including comfort breaks - you’ll also get a full recording and transcript 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