Large food and farming alliance urges government to deliver strong UK food strategy reform

Five leading food and farming alliances representing more than 160 organisations have urged the UK Government to legislate for a “strong and fair Food Strategy” that secures accountability on health, sustainability and affordability across the entire food system.

The Food Strategy Alliances – comprising the Obesity Health Alliance, Sustain, Eating Better, Wildlife and Countryside Link and the Plant-based Food Alliance – have written to Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds MP, calling for primary legislation and an action plan due in spring 2026.

In their letter, they explain that collectively they “represent over 160 civil society and business organisations spanning health, animal welfare, conservation, food production, farming and social justice sectors”.

Formed earlier this year, the alliances said their purpose is to ensure organisations working across the system have a “coherent voice and unified role in supporting the development and delivery of a successful UK Food Strategy”.

In the letter, the alliances acknowledge that poor diets are undermining national productivity and holding back economic growth, but add that they “welcome the UK Government’s commitment to this exciting, transformative and cross-cutting policy agenda”, describing the current phase as “an important moment for the future of food and farming in the UK”.

Core recommendations

The group has published 17 priority recommendations, ranging from farm-level incentives to regulatory reform and affordability measures. Their top asks include:

• Create a joined-up healthy food and sustainable farming plan – backed by legislation
• Put nature and climate-friendly farming at the core of the Food Strategy
• Make healthy, sustainable, culturally appropriate diets affordable and accessible to everyone in the UK

They argue that any strategy must support the government’s existing Good Food Cycle vision, quoting its goal of “a healthier, more affordable, sustainable and resilient 21st century UK food system that grows the economy, feeds the nation, nourishes people, and protects the environment and climate, now and in the future”.

Central to their request is legal certainty. “We are clear that primary legislation is necessary to achieve the vision and priority outcomes of the Food Strategy, provide a framework for accountable action, and to future-proof our food system for the long-term,” the letter states.

They also identify changes that could be delivered without new laws, including updating existing regulations, better implementation of current policy and redirecting public spending towards nature-friendly food production and improved access to nutritious food.

Widespread support for progressive UK food policy

Rebecca Sunter, Interim Executive Director at Eating Better, said:

These collective asks from over 160 organisations demonstrate how much support there is for progressive food policy in the UK. These proposals link food from production right through to consumption, and would unlock a shift towards more plants and less and better meat and dairy in UK diets.

We know that the public backs food policies that support health, animal welfare and the environment; now is the time for the UK Government to act to make their Good Food Cycle vision a reality.”

Katharine Jenner, Executive Director of the Obesity Health Alliance, added:

We are pleased to collaborate with other leading food and farming alliances to offer the Government a set of key recommendations that will help transform the Good Food Cycle from aspiration into reality, and ultimately deliver a food system that supports public health, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability.

Last week’s Budget announcement on the Soft Drinks Industry Levy provides a timely reminder of the importance of protecting the policymaking process from vested interests – evidenced by the decision to lower the threshold to 4.5g/100ml rather than the 4g/100ml proposed during consultation.

We hope that this and the 16 additional recommendations will offer the Government plenty to get their teeth into in the months ahead.”

The Food Strategy Alliances have now invited ministers and officials to engage with them in detail ahead of the Food Strategy action plan expected in Spring 2026.