Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

National Food Strategy: Government Response

Thursday 28 October 2021 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ian Byrne inquired about meeting the Minister to discuss the Government's White Paper on the National Food Strategy and the right to food amid rising food poverty.
  • The Minister expressed willingness to meet Ian Byrne to discuss food poverty, praising his work with Fans Supporting Foodbanks.
  • Alicia Kearns requested a meeting to discuss concerns over changing the salt content of stilton and her campaign for a DEFRA office in Melton Mowbray.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Benefits & Welfare Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's report on food security during the pandemic highlighted the need for a legal right to food and addressing food poverty. A Dispatches programme reported on Monday night about children going hungry.

Question

When will the Government publish its response to the National Food Strategy? The hon. Member inquired about meeting me to discuss the upcoming White Paper responding to the national food strategy, which was published in July, and the right to food in light of increasing food poverty and children going hungry.

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The hon. Gentleman would be delighted to meet me as I have many times to discuss food poverty, commending him for his work with Fans Supporting Foodbanks. There is no mention of meeting regarding the White Paper or the right to food.

Not addressed: Meeting to discuss the upcoming White Paper and the right to food

How: I Would Be Delighted To Meet The Hon. Gentleman, As I Have Many Times

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Q2 Ian Byrne Lab Liverpool West Derby
Benefits & Welfare Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's report on food security during the pandemic highlighted the need for a legal right to food. A Dispatches programme reported on Monday night about children going hungry.

Question

In April, the committee's report said that the Government should consult on a legal right to food in its White Paper responding to the national food strategy published in July. With the rise of food poverty and kids going hungry as highlighted by a Dispatches programme, will the Minister meet me to discuss the upcoming White Paper and the right to food?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The hon. Gentleman would be delighted to meet as I have many times to discuss food poverty, commending him for his work with Fans Supporting Foodbanks.

Not addressed: Meeting to discuss the upcoming White Paper and the right to food

How: I Would Be Delighted To Meet The Hon. Gentleman, As I Have Many Times

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Q3 Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Concerns that the national food strategy may force changes to traditional recipes such as Stilton, which was invented in Melton Mowbray.

Question

With concerns about changing the amazing national recipe of stilton to reduce salt content as mentioned in the National Food Strategy, will the Minister meet me to discuss this issue and my campaign for a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs office in rural food capital, Melton Mowbray?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

I believe I am meeting my hon. Friend this afternoon to discuss stilton and other important cheeses.

Not addressed: Meeting to discuss the issue of changing Stilton recipe

How: Believe I Am Meeting My Hon. Friend

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Q4 Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Henry Dimbleby, who wrote the national food strategy for the Government, expressed dissatisfaction with his advice being rejected by the Government post-New Zealand trade deal.

Question

Following a New Zealand trade deal, Henry Dimbleby said that the Government has clearly rejected his advice. He also stated that there is no point in creating a food and farming system here that looks after animals, sequesters carbon, and supports biodiversity if overseas products on our shelves do not do the same. Can the Minister tell us her view and the Government's view?

Answer from Victoria Prentis

The hon. Gentleman will be glad to hear that my view and the Government's view are entirely aligned with Henry Dimbleby's report, which was a useful step in developing the food strategy. We will respond probably in mid-January.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific content of the Government's response to Henry Dimbleby's advice

How: Cannot Give Members Any Spoilers Now

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