Food Chain Programme
Defra has 8 Departmental Strategic Objectives of which one is 'A thriving food and farming sector with an improving net environmental impact'.
Evidence has shown that food consumption has a significant impact on climate change and other resource and environmental issues and within this strategic objective sits the requirement to reduce the global impact UK food consumption and production.
The Food Chain Programme was established in April 2007 to achieve this requirement. The programme focuses on what we produce, consume, export and import. It is identifying products that have a high impact on the environment and is working with producers and retailers to reduce the impact where possible.
Objectives of the Food Chain Programme
Short term objectives:
- develop a sound and robust evidence base;
- ensure consumers are clear as to how they can reduce the impact of their food consumption;
- develop understanding within government and industry of what a sustainable food chain looks like and motivate them to have more sustainable practices;
- being at the forefront of global thinking on sustainable food consumption and production
Long term objectives:
- reduce the greenhouse gas footprint of the food chain;
- reduce the impacts on water quality and the amount of water used in food production;
- reduce the amount of food waste generated throughout the food chain;
- increase the socio-economic benefits of food consumption and production both here and in developing countries.
The Food Chain Programme is comprised of six projects:
- Food Industry Sustainability Strategy
- Measuring Embedded Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
- International
- Road map
- Influencing Consumer Behaviours
- School Food and Public Procurement
Further enquiries
Defra
Food Chain Programme
Area 8E
9 Millbank
London
SW1P 3JR
Email: foodchain.programme@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Page last modified: 22 January 2008