The SDC is calling for an end to the Government’s official hands-off approach to supermarkets in favour of a more cohesive approach. It says conflicting messages from different areas of government are making it impossible to meet targets. For example, the Department of Health’s attempts to encourage people to eat more fish is cutting across attempts to preserve endangered fish stocks. In total, 19 Whitehall departments have almost 100 policies related to supermarkets.
The Green, Healthy and Fair review found that climate change policies aimed at reducing emissions from supermarket operations are failing to address transport issues adequately. And public health messages are being compromised, while high-calorie processed foods are aggressively promoted.
SDC commissioner Tim Lang said: “Given the enormous influence wielded by the supermarkets, working with them effectively is essential. There are already many areas where the Government and retailers are working together, but the Government needs to be more ambitious.”
Supermarkets quizzed during the research said they are often frustrated by the lack of clarity and long-term strategy given by the Government on these issues.
The research highlighted waste; nutrition and obesity; climate change; fair supply chains; ecosystems and water as the six areas of priority areas for Government and supermarket action.
Key recommendations include establishing a “clear agenda” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the whole food chain by at least 60 per cent by 2050. It also recommends that the Government should develop an enforceable definition of “local” food and promote fair trade standard systems incorporating environmental sustainability, instead of leaving it to NGOs. It also calls for Defra to develop an ambitious packaging strategy to follow its waste strategy.
The report is being presented to the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit review on food this week.
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