Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum

***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***

Key stakeholders and policymakers at this timely conference will discuss key issues for agriculture policy and funding in the UK.

Why this is relevant now - the context:

It takes place with:

• negotiations taking place on the UK’s withdrawal agreement with the EU
• policy developments including:
  
  • the Agriculture Bill, which outlines the expected changes to the new payments systems along with the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme
  • the Future for food, farming and the environment policy statement, outlining further information about England’s agricultural policy
• the Future Farming Resilience Funding scheme which aims to provide guidance and support services as the transition into the new payment system begins
• DEFRA announcing a range of support measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including:
  
  • financial support for English dairy farmers who have suffered heavy losses as a result of the pandemic and the Farming Minister announcing those affected will be able to apply for funding from the 18th June
  • temporary relaxation of UK competition law to encourage collaboration across the dairy industry - allowing farmers to share resources and intelligence so as to keep production flowing
  • extension of application deadlines for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Countryside Stewardship (CS), and Environmental Stewardship (ES)

Key areas for discussion:

• Practicalities - looking at:
  
  • the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme
  • payment for public goods in areas like environmental and animal welfare standards
  • support during the transition period
• Farm finance - including:
  
  • the impact of any changes
  • further support that might be needed for the sector to reach net-zero emissions
  • sustainable practices in devolved nations
• The overall payment process and what lessons can be learnt from the direct payment system under CAP
• Monitoring and measuring environmental standards and disseminating best practice
• The evolving regulatory landscape - looking at:
  
  • food security and productivity
  • options for creating a system that promotes sustainability, stewardship, and efficient and competitive farming
• Issues for smaller farms and those with limited adaptive capacity
• The COVID-19 pandemic - with discussion expected on:
  
  • extra support needed for the food supply chain
  • strategies in place to support farmers with the workforce shortages
  • how payments systems can adapt to events such as COVID-19

The agenda:

• Priorities going forward for agricultural policy and the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme
• The vision for the ELM scheme: productivity, funding and local delivery
• Practicalities of a new system - monitoring, environmental standards, external challenges, and learning from Payments by Results pilot schemes
• Case study: supporting sustainable farming in Wales
• Implementation issues - farming regulations, food security, finance, and towards net-zero emissions

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; the Environment Agency; the Committee on Climate Change; DAERA; MHCLG; BEIS; Cabinet Office; the National Audit Office; the Natural Capital Committee; the Office for National Statistics 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  which is bringing together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the priorities for developing a new wide-ranging National Food Strategy for England.

The agenda:

• Stakeholder perspectives on the development of an overarching food strategy:
  
  • What makes a good food system - with Professor Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy, City, University of London
  • Maintaining a competitive and secure food manufacturing industry - with Ian Wright, Chief Executive, Food and Drink Federation
  • Agricultural standards and our food values - with Minette Batters, President, NFU
  • Engaging small business and retailers in the future food strategy - with Edward Woodall, Director, Government Relations, ACS
• Food we can trust - making it happen- with Emily Miles, Chief Executive Officer, Food Standards Agency
• Providing a sustainable and healthy National Food Strategy
  
  • Improving healthy choices within the food industry - with Alison Tedstone, National Director, Diet, Nutrition and Obesity, Public Health England
  • A business perspective on the future of the food system and the National Food Strategy - with Stefano Agostini, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé UK&I
  • Working with the natural environment to deliver a sustainable strategy - with Tanya Steele, Chief Executive Officer, WWF
  • Consumer priorities for a food strategy - with Sue Davies, Head, Consumer Protection and Food Policy, Which?
  • Engaging with children, families and those with less access to fresh and affordable food - with Claire Pritchard, Chair, London Food Board & CEO, Greenwich Cooperative Development Agency

Policy officials attending:

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

It’s particularly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament, and officials from Defra; Defra - Northern Irleand; DAERA; BEIS; the Committee on Climate Change; DHSC; the Food Standards Agency; Food Standards Scotland; MHCLG; the National Audit Office; the National Food Crime Unit; DFID; the Department for International Trade; Crown Commercial Services; 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 is bringing together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the way forward for policy and industry practice on children’s food and nutrition in England.

Key areas for discussion:

• The Childhood Obesity Plan - next steps for implementation of, including:
  
  • addressing the key challenges for nutrition in the early years and school,
  • insights from successful case studies, and industry initiatives aimed at reducing the incidence of childhood obesity and malnutrition,
  • best practice in promoting healthy and sustainable attitudes to food and reducing childhood inequalities, and
  • what more can be done to support children and families to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
• The Marmot Review 10 Years On and recent government commitments - with discussion expected on:
  
  • what more can be done to reduce variation in access to nutritious food, and identify and support at-risk groups by placing health equity at the heart of policy,
  • next steps for product reformulation and calorie labelling to improve the nutritional content of food and encourage behaviour change, and
  • options for developing the of the UK sugar levy.
• Community-based solutions - including discussion on:
  
  • what is being done at a local level and across primary care to provide to identify malnutrition and promote healthy weight management,  and
  • supporting children susceptible to malnutrition throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and assessing initiatives such as the recently announced free school meals voucher scheme, and
  • how provision of food in schools may need to change going forward and the support that may be needed to introduce the necessary measures.
• The out-of-home sector - assessing what is being done to provide healthier choices and better inform consumers, areas of innovation and further action that could be taken.

Developments that are relevant to the discussion:

• The recently launched free school meals voucher scheme aiming to continue providing meals to children eligible for them whilst they stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Inequalities policy and developments, including:
  
  • new National Child Measurement Programme data showing obesity prevalence to be highest among children living in the most deprived areas of England;
  • the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care reaffirming his ambition to reduce inequality through prevention in his key priorities for 2020, and
  • publication of Health Equity in England: The Marmot Review 10 Years On.
• Implementing Advancing our health: prevention in the 2020s - food labelling, reformulation, improving nutritional content, and supporting individuals to achieve and maintain a healthier weight;
• The independent Time to solve childhood obesity report from the former CMO and its calls for action across industry and the public sector to meet 2030 obesity reduction targets;
• Development of the independent National Food Strategy for England - with an interim report due in the spring; and
• PHE’s latest progress report on results of the sugar reduction programme highlighting variation in reducing the sugar in food between at-home and the out-of-home sector.

The agenda:

• Progress to date and implementing Chapter 3 of the Childhood Obesity Plan;
• National Food Strategy and developing a food system that encourages healthy and sustainable diets;
• Nutrition in early years and school - improving attitudes to food, and supporting children and families to achieve and maintain a healthy weight;
• Prevention, identification, and management of obesity and complications of Covid 19;
• Innovative approaches to reducing childhood obesity and malnutrition:
  
  • Reducing inequality in access to healthy and nutritious food and helping at-risk groups;
  • Moving beyond the sugar reduction programme - reformulation and calorie labelling; and
  • The out-of-home sector - creating healthier choices and supporting consumer choice.

Policy officials attending

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

It’s certainly the case with this one. Places have been reserved by officials from DHSC; Defra; Food Standards Scotland; the Welsh Government; and the Department for International Trade.

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