Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
First Report - COVID-19 and food supply
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 263
Published 30 July 2020
Government response
COVID-19 and food supply: Government Response to the Committee’s First Report · published 10 Oct 2020
Recommendations & Conclusions
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 …
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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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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 …
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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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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 …
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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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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 …
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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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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 …
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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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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 …
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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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