Recommendations & Conclusions
12 items
1
Conclusion
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
We consider that, once the crisis hit, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) worked well with industry to put in place measures to help retailers to deal with significantly increased consumer demand.
Government response AI summary
The government expresses pleasure regarding the committee's observation that Defra worked well with the industry during the crisis and commits to continuing close collaboration with retailers.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
2
Conclusion
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
However, it appears that the Government had not anticipated how much retail demand would increase and that it would have a disruptive effect on food supply to consumers via retailers. Given that empty shelves were already being reported in other countries that were ahead of the UK with regards to …
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However, it appears that the Government had not anticipated how much retail demand would increase and that it would have a disruptive effect on food supply to consumers via retailers. Given that empty shelves were already being reported in other countries that were ahead of the UK with regards to COVID-19 cases and responsive measures, this is surprising and disappointing.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's observation, explaining that they were monitoring the situation and attributing increased retail demand to complex consumer behaviours. They commit to working with industry to learn from this experience and minimise future supply chain disruptions.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
5
Conclusion
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
The spike in demand for online grocery shopping and home delivery was an obvious consequence of measures designed to stop the spread of COVID-19. We commend the efforts of supermarkets and convenience stores in ramping up their capacity to offer online shopping throughout the pandemic. The Government’s temporary relaxation of …
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The spike in demand for online grocery shopping and home delivery was an obvious consequence of measures designed to stop the spread of COVID-19. We commend the efforts of supermarkets and convenience stores in ramping up their capacity to offer online shopping throughout the pandemic. The Government’s temporary relaxation of rules around drivers’ hours also helped.
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Government response AI summary
The government echoes the committee's commendation of supermarkets' efforts to expand online shopping capacity and agrees that the temporary relaxation of drivers' hours rules assisted deliveries, also noting the waiver of the carrier bag charge.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
6
Recommendation
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
There is no reason why the Government should have had any misconceptions about the capacity of online retailers to cater for the increased demand from consumers shopping from home. Online accounted for a small proportion of the market before the pandemic and retailers were advising Defra on their capacity to …
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There is no reason why the Government should have had any misconceptions about the capacity of online retailers to cater for the increased demand from consumers shopping from home. Online accounted for a small proportion of the market before the pandemic and retailers were advising Defra on their capacity to increase the service. In encouraging people to shop online without acknowledging the limited capacity of retailers to cater for that demand, the Government set the scene for public COVID-19 and food supply 47 frustration and for blame to be placed at the door of the retailers. We are concerned that there may have been a failure of communication between Government and the public, and across Government. The Government should clarify how it intends to manage the mismatch between demand and capacity for online food shopping in the event of a second wave of COVID-19 infections. There should be better communication across Government and between Government and the public about online capacity.
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Government response AI summary
The government explains how it adapted public messaging and worked with retailers to manage online shopping demand during the initial phase of the pandemic, stating this experience will inform its approach to future communication, but does not clarify a specific plan for managing capacity mismatch …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
8
Conclusion
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
Use of food banks was increasing before the pandemic and has effectively doubled during the pandemic. It is likely that the situation will get worse before it gets better. Food bank use is normally a symptom of, amongst other things, a lack of sufficient income and social support, rather than …
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Use of food banks was increasing before the pandemic and has effectively doubled during the pandemic. It is likely that the situation will get worse before it gets better. Food bank use is normally a symptom of, amongst other things, a lack of sufficient income and social support, rather than a food supply issue and we note the June 2020 report of the Work and Pensions Committee, which addresses these matters and calls for flexibility in Universal Credit advance payments.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledged the observation on increased food bank use by detailing £16 million in funding for food charities and outlining over £6.5 billion in additional welfare support, including increases to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
15
Recommendation
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
Responsibility for food falls across several Government departments, but there is a risk that food insecurity falls between the cracks with no clear lead. The establishment of a cross-Government taskforce looking at food insecurity during the pandemic indicated that Defra recognised the value of coordination across Government. However, the national …
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Responsibility for food falls across several Government departments, but there is a risk that food insecurity falls between the cracks with no clear lead. The establishment of a cross-Government taskforce looking at food insecurity during the pandemic indicated that Defra recognised the value of coordination across Government. However, the national voucher scheme for free school meals would certainly have benefitted from a faster and more joined-up approach between the DfE and Defra. We consider that Defra has made a good effort to tackle the issue, but it alone cannot tackle the causes of and solutions for food insecurity. The Government should measure and report levels of food insecurity across the country. We recommend that the Government appoints a Minister for Food Security, empowered to collect robust data on food insecurity and draw together policy across departments on food supply, nutrition and welfare in order to deliver sustainable change. (Paragraph 74) Foodservice sector
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees that cross-government collaboration on food insecurity is crucial and states that departments continue to monitor the situation and engage with stakeholders. However, it does not commit to appointing a Minister for Food Security or to specific new measures for reporting food insecurity …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
16
Conclusion
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
The closure of foodservice and hospitality businesses was a huge shock for their food and drink suppliers, particularly those providing perishable goods who were unable to find alternative markets quickly. The Government could have done more to anticipate problems that would arise, particularly as it was necessary Government health measures, …
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The closure of foodservice and hospitality businesses was a huge shock for their food and drink suppliers, particularly those providing perishable goods who were unable to find alternative markets quickly. The Government could have done more to anticipate problems that would arise, particularly as it was necessary Government health measures, rather than market forces, that caused severe economic disruption. This was particularly demonstrated by the crisis in the dairy sector, which we are examining in a separate call for evidence.
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Government response AI summary
The government defends its monitoring and early engagement with the food chain during the pandemic, detailing its actions from January, in response to the committee's conclusion that more could have been done to anticipate supply chain disruption. It commits to learning from this experience to …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
17
Recommendation
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
We cautiously welcome the decision to allow foodservice and hospitality businesses to reopen with reduced social distancing, as this will increase the likelihood that they and their food suppliers will survive the economic impact of the pandemic. The Government must ensure that foodservice and hospitality businesses that were thriving before …
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We cautiously welcome the decision to allow foodservice and hospitality businesses to reopen with reduced social distancing, as this will increase the likelihood that they and their food suppliers will survive the economic impact of the pandemic. The Government must ensure that foodservice and hospitality businesses that were thriving before the pandemic remain economically viable. We welcome that extra support for the sector was announced in the Plan for Jobs 2020. In addition, every effort must also be made to minimise the risk of infection and protect customers and staff.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the significant challenges faced by hospitality businesses and the need for their economic viability, noting that new measures are in response to this, but the full details are truncated in the provided response.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
19
Conclusion
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
We would like to put on record our unreserved thanks to all the key workers in the food supply chain whose efforts and sacrifices have meant that the nation is being fed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government response AI summary
The government joined the committee in thanking food supply chain workers, reiterating its gratitude and mentioning the past 'Food Heroes campaign' that recognised their efforts.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
22
Conclusion
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
The COVID-19 pandemic was unanticipated, and yet the Government had been preparing for an influenza pandemic for many years; this too could have resulted in lockdowns, self-isolation and closures of businesses, with knock-on effects on food. We consider that Defra mounted an excellent and commendable response to the food system …
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The COVID-19 pandemic was unanticipated, and yet the Government had been preparing for an influenza pandemic for many years; this too could have resulted in lockdowns, self-isolation and closures of businesses, with knock-on effects on food. We consider that Defra mounted an excellent and commendable response to the food system disruptions caused by COVID-19, but we are surprised that the Government appeared to be so unprepared in the first place. It is particularly surprising because some other countries were ahead of the UK in terms of lockdowns and school and business closures, and therefore provided a clear indication that extraordinary measures were likely to be required.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledged the committee's surprise regarding preparedness, explaining that food is a Critical National Infrastructure sector with recognized risks, and existing work for various scenarios informed their understanding of the supply chain. They stated COVID-19 presented unprecedented circumstances and highlighted the rapid, resilient response …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
23
Conclusion
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
The measures put in place by Government to control the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly had a significant and disruptive effect on food systems in the UK. The food supply chain was, with time, Government support and the efforts of key workers, able to keep providing food to those who could afford …
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The measures put in place by Government to control the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly had a significant and disruptive effect on food systems in the UK. The food supply chain was, with time, Government support and the efforts of key workers, able to keep providing food to those who could afford and were physically able to go to shops and supermarkets. In addition, significant efforts were made by COVID-19 and food supply 51 Government to ensure that Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) people who had to shield at home received food, albeit not always adequate in quantity or nutrition. Therefore, the food supply chain for retail consumers and CEV people was shown to be resilient. However, it remains to be seen how the food system will reorient to a new normal, a key test of resilience, particularly where foodservice and hospitality are concerned. The longer-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our food supply resilience remain to be seen.
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges its actions to provide emergency food during the pandemic and commits to continued engagement with industry through existing groups like the FCELG to support the food sector and maintain food supply resilience.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
26
Recommendation
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Acknowledged
If the UK leaves the transition period provided for by the UK’s withdrawal agreement with the EU at the end of 2020 without a clear trading arrangement with the EU, the relaxation of competition law may again be called for. The Government should explain whether another relaxation of competition law …
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If the UK leaves the transition period provided for by the UK’s withdrawal agreement with the EU at the end of 2020 without a clear trading arrangement with the EU, the relaxation of competition law may again be called for. The Government should explain whether another relaxation of competition law may be required in the event of a disruptive exit from the transition period, based on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Paragraph 118) 52 COVID-19 and food supply
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Government response AI summary
The government states that competition law exclusion orders are for exceptional circumstances and that Defra will continue to work with the food industry for the end of the transition period, taking account of competition law, but does not explicitly explain whether another relaxation may be …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs