New Government Should Focus on Food Science Education, Sustainability and Funding, Says UK Institute

30 May 2017 --- As the clock counts down to the UK General Election on June 8, the Institute of Food Science & Technology (IFST) is questioning what Brexit will mean for food science and has updated its policy to reflect three areas it sees as a priority for the next Government.

The institute is examining the political party manifestos as they come out in relation to the key areas; Food Science Education, Sustainable Food Systems and Brexit.
 
As a charity and professional body that is independent of government, industry and any other organization, IFST makes it clear that it is not endorsing any party.
 
In terms of Food Science Education, the IFST is urging the next government to do more in terms of education. Food Science as an A level has been dropped and more needs to be done to encourage the integration of food topics into the science curricula for secondary school children.
 
Currently,  the only secondary qualification dealing with food is the Food Preparation and Nutrition GCSE which has a greater emphasis on the skills of food preparation and cooking, not necessarily core skills for students wanting to pursue a career in food science. 

According to the IFST, it’s important for the government to recognize that food is an excellent vehicle to teach children science, supporting priorities in public health, an innovative economy, and the need to move towards a more sustainable food system.
 
In terms of a sustainable food system, the outgoing government’s Food and Farming plan has been further delayed by the election process and there is still no clear indication of any policies that will progress the UK to a more sustainable food system, according to the IFST.
 
The complexity of the food system means that a ‘systems’ (or ‘joined up’) approach is necessary if effective policy responses are to be developed by business and government. 
 
The need is great; growing environmental pressures, including climate change, soil degradation, disruption of water cycles, expanding pathogen ranges and increasing regularity of extreme weather events, coupled with population growth and migration impact on and will continue to affect the food system, it says. 
Big questions also hang around Brexit and the IFST has set out its challenges for Brexit on maintaining access to skills, research funding and collaboration to ensure a competitive and innovative food system. 
 
Specifically, the Institute has called for a legislative framework, research funding to drive scientific discovery and innovation, the Government, academia and industry UK food system have access to appropriate skills in food science and technology and a supply of sufficient safe, affordable, nutritious and sustainable food.