Farming News - DEFRA: Reynolds takes steps to manage food costs and support British farming
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DEFRA: Reynolds takes steps to manage food costs and support British farming
- New measures will support the food and drink sector by streamlining regulations and reducing tariffs
- Farmers and rural businesses are fundamental to growing the economy, Environment Secretary expected to say
- This comes as government explores further options to drive down cost of living
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds will renew the government's determination to help manage food bills and boost growth, supporting households, the food and drink industry and farmers.
With inflation now falling overall but food inflation rising according to latest figures, Emma Reynolds will set out further steps from government to help drive down food costs.
In two speeches to the Food and Drink Federation and CLA Rural Business conferences, she will announce the government's plans to invite industry to apply for tariffs to be suspended on products they need that aren't produced in the UK, as well as a new commitment to streamline regulation on the food sector wherever possible.
This supports the Chancellor's targeted action to support the Bank of England in reducing inflation and comes ahead of the Budget, where she will set out the fair choices she'll take to deliver on the country's priorities of cutting the cost of living, cutting NHS waiting lists and cutting national debt.
In a speech to leaders in the food industry on Wednesday afternoon, the Environment Secretary said:
"Since joining Defra, I've been taking practical steps to bear down on food inflation and manage food costs for shoppers.
"By cutting red tape and keeping tariffs down we will help businesses deliver for customers and give them confidence to invest for the future."
To support the food industry, the Secretary of State will announce two major initiatives:
- To help reduce import costs, Defra, DBT and HMT will be launching a process inviting industry to apply for import tariffs to be suspended to cut costs and to keep the prices of key ingredients from large increases.
- A new Food Inflation Gateway will assess the impact of government regulations on food businesses and their impact on food prices. By introducing new requirements, removing duplication and streamlining regulation where possible this should reduce unnecessary costs for food businesses.
Both these measures aim to manage costs for manufacturers and retailers, avoiding these being passed on the consumers at the till. This builds on the EU reset deal that will mean less paperwork, lower costs and faster movement of goods for industry.
In a separate address to farmers and landowners at the CLA Rural Business conference (Thursday 20 November), the Environment Secretary has set out how the government is supporting the nation's farmers to drive growth – with rural Britain contributing £259 billion to our economy and supporting over half a million businesses.
She is due to say:
"This government sees the rural economy as fundamental to our growth mission. When rural Britain succeeds, the whole country succeeds.
"From food production to protecting nature, we are acting on our ambitions for a countryside where businesses flourish, good jobs are created, and our communities are strengthened."
She will discuss work to boost farming productivity alongside the Batters Review, due to be published before Christmas, including:
- Unlocking new markets for British produce with India, China and the USA.
- Tackling contractual unfairness in supply chains with our 'Fair Dealings' regulations.
- Committing nearly £250 million in farming grants to improve productivity, trial new technologies and drive innovation in the sector.
- Appointing Alan Laidlaw as the new Commissioner for the Tenant Farming Sector.