If you listen to some reports the British food industry is currently beset with a host of problems that in some cases threaten the future of agriculture in the U.K. Not only do these issues affect farms and food manufacturers themselves, but many have an adverse effect on the environment, which could have even further-reaching consequences.
Fortunately, there are a number of changes being made to ensure that the future is not all doom and gloom. From individual output, like Richard Bramley of North Yorkshire’s tireless contributions to developing environmentally friendly farming, to work by the government and various corporations, there is plenty being done to resolve some of the issues blighting British agriculture as well as how we produce and consume food.
Reducing food wasted for cosmetic reasons
One of the largest problems with British agriculture is the amount of food it wastes for cosmetic reasons. Out of the 2.5 million tonnes of food farms waste every year, some farmers reported that up to 40% of their crop was rejected simply for failing to comply with supermarkets’ cosmetic standards. This has huge ramifications in terms of environmental impact, and wastes perfectly good food which could be sent to those in need.
There are already efforts underway to reduce the amount of waste created by cosmetic specifications under the Courtauld Commitment 2025. Many supermarkets now accept more ‘wonky’ fruit and vegetables, with a number of retailers already showing a willingness to sell imperfect produce. Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Tesco and Asda have now branched out into selling fruit and veg that is less aesthetically-pleasing, and this is already encouraging farmers not to throw away as much produce.
Along with these changing standards, there has been an increase in demand for food products which are produced with an emphasis on zero waste. One of these products is Huel with their nutritionally complete range of food which with a year-long shelf life means there is no food wastage at all. Huel has sold over 13 million meals since its launch in 2014 and the brand’s popularity can be seen with reviews endorsing their sustainable range of products. As shape, size and variations in colour are not relevant in the production of food products like Huel, the amount of ingredients rejected during their production is minimal. This is a significant improvement on the traditional food supply chain where waste is high due to aesthetic reasons.
Reducing pesticide use
A University of Sheffield study in 2014 contended that we only had 100 harvests left because of the monumental damage farmers have caused to British soil. Only three years later, the Environment Secretary Michael Gove warned that if current practices continue, the UK would only have 40 years of fertile crop growing left. One of the main reasons for this was an overreliance on chemicals for pesticides and fertilisers that render large tracts of soil infertile.
Not only are these chemicals bad for soil, but they can be harmful to animals on farms, and can leach into our water supplies, potentially causing us and wildlife significant harm. Reducing farmer reliance on these chemicals is therefore pivotal.
Fortunately, there are a number of initiatives underway to help farmers do just this. For example, the Pesti-wise initiative ran by the Northumbrian Water Group helped farmers in the regions they supply to significantly reduce pesticide use.
Another initiative aimed at helping farmers to cut pesticide use has also recently been launched by the government organisation the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH). CEH researchers planted long strips of bright wildflowers through crop fields in an effort to boost the natural predators of pests. Increasing wildflower margins has been demonstrated to draw insects like parasitic wasps and ground beetles further into crop fields and therefore reduce pest numbers. This in turn enables farmers to slash the amount of pesticide they use.
Improving animal welfare
Research by the Guardian and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism revealed that there are around 800 US-style intensive factory farms operating across the UK. These type of farms are deemed ‘intensive’ as animals are often cruelly crammed into cramped cages and crowded sheds, rather than being able to roam freely. Critics have labelled these farms “cruel and unnecessary,” and Emma Slawinski, director of campaigns at Compassion in World Farming, stated that animals in these farms are often kept in “barren, overcrowded and frequently filthy” conditions. Worryingly, around 70% of farm animals in the UK are kept in intensive factory farms.
However, the future for animals may be brighter, with recent figures from the National Farm Research Unit revealing that 40% of livestock farmers plan to invest further in animal welfare in 2018.
This means that despite the perceived problems that the British food industry is currently facing, there are plenty of forward thinking changes being made by farmers, charities, the government and influential companies alike in an attempt to create a brighter future.