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Experts have an obligation to protect our food supply chain The big issue: experts have an obligation to protect our food supply chain
(6 days later)
Jay Rayner was wrong not to join an official discussion – the country needs his expertise
Sun 6 Aug 2017 00.05 BST
Last modified on Wed 14 Feb 2018 15.34 GMT
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It was disheartening to read of Jay Rayner’s decision to decline an invitation from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to join a round-table discussion for “innovative thinkers” and forgo a golden opportunity to present a cogent argument within a forum that would directly influence food policy and affect all our lives (“Brexit will affect every aspect of our food chain and imperils the health of the nation”, In Focus).It was disheartening to read of Jay Rayner’s decision to decline an invitation from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to join a round-table discussion for “innovative thinkers” and forgo a golden opportunity to present a cogent argument within a forum that would directly influence food policy and affect all our lives (“Brexit will affect every aspect of our food chain and imperils the health of the nation”, In Focus).
As the number of quality politicians and civil servants declines, so our role on the world, and now European, stage has waned. If we are not to vanish further into the wings, talented, well-balanced and influential individuals from all disciplines of the private sector, such as Rayner, need the courage and determination to engage with our ailing government departments from the inside for the greater public good, regardless of personal discomfort.Stuart HoughtonLancasterAs the number of quality politicians and civil servants declines, so our role on the world, and now European, stage has waned. If we are not to vanish further into the wings, talented, well-balanced and influential individuals from all disciplines of the private sector, such as Rayner, need the courage and determination to engage with our ailing government departments from the inside for the greater public good, regardless of personal discomfort.Stuart HoughtonLancaster
Brexit does indeed risk “exposing UK consumers to much lower food standards than we have come to expect”, especially if a “very big, very powerful” trade deal is signed “very, very quickly”, as Donald Trump suggested. US trade deals are governed by a providential principle that permits marketing anything not yet proved dangerous. But the EU follows the precautionary principle, whereby the goods may not be marketed unless they have been proved not to harm the consumer or environment. Which principle the “great repeal bill” opts for is of crucial importance for British consumers.David MurrayWallington, SurreyBrexit does indeed risk “exposing UK consumers to much lower food standards than we have come to expect”, especially if a “very big, very powerful” trade deal is signed “very, very quickly”, as Donald Trump suggested. US trade deals are governed by a providential principle that permits marketing anything not yet proved dangerous. But the EU follows the precautionary principle, whereby the goods may not be marketed unless they have been proved not to harm the consumer or environment. Which principle the “great repeal bill” opts for is of crucial importance for British consumers.David MurrayWallington, Surrey
Jay Rayner’s otherwise welcome warning report of a possible food supply and price crisis paid scant attention – and only in relation to retailers – to the outrage of food waste. No one wants to see people struggling to feed their families and facing inflated food costs, but don’t we need to look after ourselves in this regard? And is it only the comfortably off who throw away perfectly edible food? As with the problem of debt, has it become unacceptable to advise people to put their own house in order?Dr Alan Rhys-ThompsonManchesterJay Rayner’s otherwise welcome warning report of a possible food supply and price crisis paid scant attention – and only in relation to retailers – to the outrage of food waste. No one wants to see people struggling to feed their families and facing inflated food costs, but don’t we need to look after ourselves in this regard? And is it only the comfortably off who throw away perfectly edible food? As with the problem of debt, has it become unacceptable to advise people to put their own house in order?Dr Alan Rhys-ThompsonManchester
Notwithstanding my endorsement of Jay Rayner’s Govian sentiments, I ask how he arrived at the conclusion that the carbon footprint of allotment gardening is “appalling”. The only footprints on my organically run allotment are my own. Far from it being “good for mental wellbeing”, it is more likely that I will be driven insane by adverse weather, bindweed and the marauding antics of muntjaks, all for the sake of a supply of potatoes, courgettes, runner beans, carrots etc, which are to be found just around the corner.Tony EdwardsWatchfield, OxfordshireNotwithstanding my endorsement of Jay Rayner’s Govian sentiments, I ask how he arrived at the conclusion that the carbon footprint of allotment gardening is “appalling”. The only footprints on my organically run allotment are my own. Far from it being “good for mental wellbeing”, it is more likely that I will be driven insane by adverse weather, bindweed and the marauding antics of muntjaks, all for the sake of a supply of potatoes, courgettes, runner beans, carrots etc, which are to be found just around the corner.Tony EdwardsWatchfield, Oxfordshire
What a very interesting article from Jay Rayner. There is a connection with Lucy Siegle’s article on throwaway fashion: supermarkets (“It’s time we got over our addiction…”, Viewpoint).What a very interesting article from Jay Rayner. There is a connection with Lucy Siegle’s article on throwaway fashion: supermarkets (“It’s time we got over our addiction…”, Viewpoint).
Years ago, there were two seasons – summer and winter – with sales in January and July. The introduction of mass-produced cheap clothes by supermarkets changed this. In order to buy clothes cheaply, production had to be guaranteed and new collections appear every six weeks.Margaret VandecasteeleWick, CaithnessYears ago, there were two seasons – summer and winter – with sales in January and July. The introduction of mass-produced cheap clothes by supermarkets changed this. In order to buy clothes cheaply, production had to be guaranteed and new collections appear every six weeks.Margaret VandecasteeleWick, Caithness
Food securityFood security
The big issueThe big issue
BrexitBrexit
Food & drink industryFood & drink industry
Article 50Article 50
European UnionEuropean Union
Foreign policyForeign policy
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