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First Report - COVID-19 and food supply

Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee HC 263 Published 30 July 2020
Report Status
Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations
26 items (17 recs)
Government Response
AI assessment · 26 of 26 classified
Accepted 6
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 12
Not Addressed 4
Rejected 1
Government response
COVID-19 and food supply: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report · published 10 Oct 2020
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Recommendations & Conclusions

26 items
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 15

We consider that, once the crisis hit, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs...

Conclusion
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 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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2 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 16

However, it appears that the Government had not anticipated how much retail demand would increase...

Conclusion
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 … Read more
Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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3 Recommendation Accepted
Para 17

It is entirely reasonable and predictable that consumers would want to buy more food in...

Recommendation
It is entirely reasonable and predictable that consumers would want to buy more food in anticipation of a lockdown, the need to self-isolate if they developed COVID-19 symptoms; or school closures and changed working patterns resulting in more meals eaten … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government states it worked closely with supermarkets on messaging during the pandemic to reassure consumers. It commits to learning from the COVID-19 response and adapting its approach to future scenarios, aiming to deliver better aligned and joined-up communications with industry, placing more emphasis on public reassurance.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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4 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Para 18

We heard concerns about the relaxation of competition law on smaller retailers and their suppliers.

Recommendation
We heard concerns about the relaxation of competition law on smaller retailers and their suppliers. Smaller retailers played a vital role in providing food to people during the pandemic, particularly where they were unable to get to supermarkets, and we … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government explains that exclusion orders clearly state the criteria for their validity, implying conditions for expiration are inherent. It also highlights ongoing monitoring by the GCA and close work with the Association of Convenience Stores, which has found no significant detrimental issues to consumers or suppliers from the relaxation of competition law.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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5 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 27

The spike in demand for online grocery shopping and home delivery was an obvious consequence...

Conclusion
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 … Read more
Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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6 Recommendation Acknowledged
Para 28

There is no reason why the Government should have had any misconceptions about the capacity...

Recommendation
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 … Read more
Government Response 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 in a second wave.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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7 Recommendation Accepted

The significantly increased demand for online shopping, combined with in-store measures to prevent the spread...

Recommendation
The significantly increased demand for online shopping, combined with in-store measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and limit excessive buying, have had a negative impact on people who are not shielding but struggling to access food, despite being able … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government highlights its past and ongoing close collaboration with retailers, local authorities, and charities to provide support and priority delivery slots for vulnerable people not shielding. It commits to continuing this work with industry and stakeholders in the future to ensure these groups can access the food they need during crises.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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8 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 47

Use of food banks was increasing before the pandemic and has effectively doubled during the...

Conclusion
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, … Read more
Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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9 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Para 48

During the early stages of the pandemic, however, supply to food banks and food aid...

Recommendation
During the early stages of the pandemic, however, supply to food banks and food aid organisations was disrupted. At the same time, a significant amount of food is still being wasted in the supply chain. Food waste must always be … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government explains that approximately £5 million of a £16 million fund has been allocated for food redistribution and commits to evaluating the impact of the £63 million provided to local authorities. However, the specific recommendation for continued annual £5 million funding for FareShare for two years is not explicitly accepted, instead linking it to evaluation of a broader pilot and future spending review.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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10 Conclusion Not Addressed
Para 57

With the need to quickly provide children with a substitute for free school meals after...

Conclusion
With the need to quickly provide children with a substitute for free school meals after schools closed, the Department for Education (DfE) designed a national voucher system. The speed with which it was set up was commendable and some teething … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government response largely reiterates the committee's conclusion regarding the issues with the national free school meal voucher system, without providing the government's own assessment or actions taken in response to these criticisms.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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11 Recommendation Not Addressed
Para 58

The Government should now be more flexible and recognise the importance and success of most...

Recommendation
The Government should now be more flexible and recognise the importance and success of most community-led responses to the provision of free school meal substitutes. Schools should be allowed to provide vouchers for whichever retailers serve their community best, without … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government response largely reiterates the committee's observations about the problems with the national free school meal voucher system, but does not directly address the recommendation for greater flexibility, allowing schools to choose retailers, or encouraging direct catering without penalty.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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12 Recommendation Accepted
Para 64

The distribution of food parcels to people who were Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) and without...

Recommendation
The distribution of food parcels to people who were Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) and without other means of support was a valuable way of ensuring that those people had access to basic foodstuffs. We accept that many of the complaints … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's comments on improving food parcel provision and commits to fully reflecting the experience and learning from the initial response in the design of any potential future service, should the national food box scheme need to be reinstated.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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13 Recommendation Not Addressed
Para 72

One of the key questions for our inquiry was what the COVID-19 pandemic had shown...

Recommendation
One of the key questions for our inquiry was what the COVID-19 pandemic had shown about our food system, not just in terms of food supply, but also demand. There are clearly millions of people whose ability to afford sufficient, … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of addressing food insecurity, highlighting existing welfare support and funding for charities, and committing to continued inter-departmental and inter-nation collaboration. However, the response does not address the recommendation to consult on whether a “Right to Food” should be given a legislative footing.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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14 Recommendation Rejected
Para 73

The Government should amend the Agriculture Bill so that food security assessments should take place...

Recommendation
The Government should amend the Agriculture Bill so that food security assessments should take place yearly, rather than every five years.
Government Response Summary
The government explicitly rejected the recommendation for yearly food security assessments, stating that the current five-year cycle in the Agriculture Bill is sufficient and aligns with other policy cycles, and Defra conducts ongoing monitoring.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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15 Recommendation Acknowledged

Responsibility for food falls across several Government departments, but there is a risk that food...

Recommendation
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 … Read more
Government Response 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 levels.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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16 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 90

The closure of foodservice and hospitality businesses was a huge shock for their food and...

Conclusion
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 … Read more
Government Response 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 minimize future disruptions.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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17 Recommendation Acknowledged
Para 91

We cautiously welcome the decision to allow foodservice and hospitality businesses to reopen with reduced...

Recommendation
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 … Read more
Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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18 Recommendation Accepted

The hospitality and foodservice sectors may take over a year to recover from forced closure...

Recommendation
The hospitality and foodservice sectors may take over a year to recover from forced closure and further financial difficulties are likely. The Government should work with producers, processors and wholesalers to understand their concerns and monitor the health of food … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the difficulties faced by food and drink suppliers and outlines a comprehensive plan of existing financial support schemes, including a specific 'bounce back' package for food and drink SMEs (e-commerce, exports) and a VAT cut for hospitality, to support the sector during turbulent times.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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19 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 94

We would like to put on record our unreserved thanks to all the key workers...

Conclusion
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 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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20 Recommendation Accepted
Para 100

Guidance on measures that businesses should take to protect workers, such as guidance on how...

Recommendation
Guidance on measures that businesses should take to protect workers, such as guidance on how to introduce social distancing and the use of personal protective equipment, was not issued quickly enough. We commend the processors, manufacturers, retailers and trade unions … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government stated it has already developed a rapid process for guidance development and established multiple forums with stakeholders and devolved administrations to improve coordination, addressing the recommendation for faster guidance issuance.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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21 Recommendation Accepted in Part

While there have been some outbreaks in meat and poultry processing plants in England and...

Recommendation
While there have been some outbreaks in meat and poultry processing plants in England and Wales, these have been in the minority, which is a testament to the efforts of the industry to keep workers safe. Further investigations should be … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government commits to conducting investigations into transmission pathways in food processing plants with multiple agencies. However, it does not explicitly commit to gathering data on disincentives to self-isolate or specifically evaluating migrant worker issues as recommended.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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22 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 114

The COVID-19 pandemic was unanticipated, and yet the Government had been preparing for an influenza...

Conclusion
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 … Read more
Government Response 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 from the food industry with government support, emphasizing well-established ways of working and ongoing measures.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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23 Conclusion Acknowledged
Para 115

The measures put in place by Government to control the COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly had a...

Conclusion
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, … Read more
Government Response 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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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24 Recommendation Not Addressed
Para 116

It is clear that before the pandemic, many people were already unable to have physical...

Recommendation
It is clear that before the pandemic, many people were already unable to have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that met their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. This was … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government response outlines past financial support and welfare measures during the pandemic but does not address the recommendation's specific calls for a response to the National Food Strategy or setting priorities for a Minister for Food Security.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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25 Recommendation Accepted

The Government cannot afford to be complacent; even though the supply chain ultimately proved to...

Recommendation
The Government cannot afford to be complacent; even though the supply chain ultimately proved to be resilient, for several weeks shoppers were faced with empty shop shelves and (in effect) rationing of staple goods. This disruption largely came from changing … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government stated that Defra is conducting lessons learned exercises on consumer behaviour impacts and has reviewed Sector Security Resilience Plans in light of COVID-19 experiences, accepting the recommendation for improved planning.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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26 Recommendation Acknowledged

If the UK leaves the transition period provided for by the UK’s withdrawal agreement with...

Recommendation
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. … Read more
Government Response 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 required.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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