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10th July 2012The British Retail Consortium has launched a new report outlining the commercial benefits of investing in the UK's farming industry.
At the launch of Retail and Farming, Investing In Our Future, supply chain and operations staff from Sainsbury's, MacDonald's, the Co-Operative and M&S discussed their work with farmers.
The report predicts the "strong relationship between retailers and UK farmers will only increase in the future" as the future food security of UK supply is of paramount importance to their business.
The report was launched at the Houses of Parliament by Laura Sandys MP.
She said there had not been "enough focus in Parliament and certainly in Whitehall" on food policy.
"I think we need to have a set change in how we look at food collectively, how we look at food as a commodity and how we need to revalue it in a holistic way from both farming and retail and a consumer perspective," she said.
"The retailers are there to deliver an absolutely consistent product which they do in the UK probably better than anywhere in Europe.
"We need to be more engaged and more involved and this is really important work for policy makers such as myself."
Ms Sandys praised retailers making investments in farming as key to their business as well as promising long term benefits for farmers.
She encouraged retailers to contact MPs and peers with an interest in food policy.
"I think you are looking at an open door - people recognise this is an important area for policy makers to get right."
Andrew Opie, BRC's Director of Food and Sustainability, said at the launch event:
"We put together the report to demonstrate how responsible retailers can play a key role in tackling food security.
"Core to our business is ensuring secure, reliable quality food into the future."
Mr Opie said closer co-operation with and investment in the UK farming industry is "a win, win, win situation".
"It is a win for us as we secure fantastic quality food for our customers, it is a win for the farmers as they benefit from really cutting edge research, and it is a win for the planet. It is a triple win for all of us."