'British food isn't just what we eat, it tells the story of our nation'

OPINION

Supporting our farmers is essential for strengthening the UK's food security in a more insecure world facing conflict and international trade tensions.

By buying more locally grown produce, we are less exposed when imported food is suddenly not available or shoots up in price.

This Easter is a time to sit down with the family and enjoy the best of what our farmers and food producers make – whether it’s Welsh lamb or Scottish beef served with all the best British trimmings.

Food is an essential part of our daily lives and central to our national culture. We should be proud of the high quality produce that makes up Britain’s impressive natural larder.

This Government shares that sense of pride. We're backing British food with investment and action, working to boost farm businesses’ profitability and increasing food production.

Britain’s food sector includes world class restaurants, creative chefs, hard-working farmers, innovative manufacturers, and a remarkable mix of cultural and traditional dishes that are celebrated globally.

That’s why, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change, we are developing a food strategy to strengthen our food system even further, protecting our British food traditions, helping to grow the economy, and making sure everyone can choose to buy affordable, delicious and nutritious food.

Our public sector spends a staggering £5 billion annually on food and catering contracts and, as Environment Secretary, I want to help British farmers and producers win a fairer share of these contracts.

Our ambition is for at least 50% of food supplied in these contracts to come from British producers or those certified to higher environmental standards.

We have already brought in new requirements for government catering contracts to favour high-quality, high-welfare products - which British producers are best placed to supply.

We will monitor where the food currently bought by the public sector comes from. This will help us meet our target for buying British.

We can create a future where British agriculture flourishes, where our environment thrives, and where every citizen has access to healthy, locally sourced food.

I hope Express readers will join me in raising a glass of British beer or wine this Easter as we tuck into the best roast dinners in the world, a Great British tradition based on Great British food.

Steve Reed is Environment Secretary and Labour MP for Streatham and Croydon North