Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 4
4
The GBSF are outdated; in some areas such as animal welfare the baseline standards are...
Recommendation
The GBSF are outdated; in some areas such as animal welfare the baseline standards are lower than the industry norm. In other areas, such as how to meet net zero emission targets, they lag behind current Government ambitions. The Government Public Sector Procurement of Food 25 should lead by example in setting high standards. The Government should review and update the GBSF to take account of new evidence, Government commitments, industry practice and consumer preferences on nutrition, animal welfare, sustainability and climate change. This should be addressed as part of the Government’s response to Part Two of the National Food Strategy by the end of the year. Thereafter, we suggest that the GBSF are actively reviewed every five years and updated if necessary. (Paragraph 29) Supporting domestic producers
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Whilst reflective of policy best practice at the time of development, we agree the GBSF requires updating and should evolve to reflect government priorities and latest evidence. We want our standards to showcase our great food and drink with high animal welfare, traceability, and nutritional value. We have therefore committed to a substantial update of the GBSF, with a consultation launching this summer. Alongside ensuring our policy reflects best practice, the consultation will examine ways to promote higher take-up of local produce and make public procurement more accessible to SMEs. This update will look to enhance the emphasis on local procurement and the focus on UK strengths such as high environmental production and welfare standards. The consultation will also seek views on how the GBSF can support the transition to more sustainably and responsibly-sourced products and services. This is in line with the Global Resource Initiative recommendation to strengthen the focus on sustainable procurement across the public sector, and with broader government policy goals such as our commitment to Net Zero by 2050. On nutrition specifically, we committed to updating the GBSF chapter on nutritional standards following the Childhood Obesity Plan Chapter 2, published in June 2018. The new nutritional standards bring the GBSF in line with the most up to date guidance from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. The GBSF consultation will review further changes concerning sustainable, healthy diets. Moving forward, we will take a proactive approach to reviewing the GBSF. The guidance will be kept under regular review, supported by ongoing engagement and feedback from the sector.