Producers are up for the challenge of increasing the use of British food in the foodservice sector, says the NFU.

NFU head of food and farming Kevin Pearce says that as consumers demand more information about traceability and provenance, the relationship between both sectors can improve at the same time.

Mr Pearce was speaking to a number of foodservice industry representatives as part of the Footprint Forum event, held in London this week, to highlight the sustainability of British agriculture.

He said: “As with other parts of the food chain, we have seen a move to more demand for traceability and provenance requirements and perhaps more recently to more sustainability. This is why I think we have seen such a growth in licences for Red Tractor in the food service sector.

“I think the relationship between the foodservice sector and food producers has improved and it will continue to improve. The Red Tractor is a mark that is already being used widely but we believe it can and should be used more in the food service sector as it would provide a whole chain assurance.

“There is no doubt that the food producing end of the supply chain is up for the challenge of increasing the use of home-produced food in the service sector. We are a professional industry, ready to adapt and change and are aware of the challenges the world faces on food security and climate change.

“I passionately believe that British agriculture can be sustainable and that it can be part of the solution to the major challenges we face.”