New Defra Ministers Urged To Back Plant-Based Policies
- gillmcshane
- 36 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Some 48 industry organisations have joined forces to push for policy changes to increase fruit and vegetable production and consumption in the UK under the government’s food strategy.
A policy paper, backed by food, farming and health groups, has been published to propose 10 measures that the government can enact to increase production and consumption of plant-rich diets, in order to meet the goals outlined in the Good Food Cycle food strategy published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in July 2025.
The plea comes as a recent National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) found just 9 per cent of children and 17 per cent of adults meet the ‘five-a-day' recommendation for fruit and vegetables.
More Support for Horticulture
The 10-Point Plan calls for more government support for the horticulture sector in order to improve food security and economic growth, more encouragement for food supply companies to focus on sales of plant-rich products and to make it easier and more affordable for people to access and eat healthy food.
Only 53 per cent of vegetables and 16 per cent of fruit are home grown, pointed out John Walgate, CEO of the British Growers Association. “The right support from the government could transform our horticulture sector from one where growers struggle to make a profit into a vibrant contributor to our rural economy and food security,” Walgate said.
The plan has been submitted this week to new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Emma Reynolds and Defra Minister Dame Angela Eagle, according to a press release from Plant-Based Health Professionals UK (PBHP).
Broad Industry Support
The 10-Point Plan has been endorsed by organisations and businesses from the food, farming, health, sustainability and animal welfare sectors. Those supporting the plan include the Food Foundation, the British Growers Association, UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, Doctors’ Association UK, Oatly, and Compassion in World Farming.
The paper is the “perfect ‘cheat sheet’ for the new ministers at Defra”, emphasised Liam Lysaght, Campaigns Officer at Foodrise. “The government has highlighted the need to break the cycle of intensive animal agriculture in the UK, and produce a genuine Good Food Cycle,” Lysaght explained.
“This paper shows widespread agreement from health, environment, and food professionals that we can achieve those goals with practical, integrated, policies to promote more plant-rich diets. It’s a perfect ‘cheat sheet’ for the new ministers at Defra.”
Public Backs Action
New polling conducted by the organisations behind the plan shows that the vast majority of the public would like a healthier and more sustainable diet, provided the government establishes the right conditions.
Indeed, some 69 per cent of respondents stated that the government should do more to help people eat fruit, vegetables and other plant-based foods.
Dr Matthew Lee, sustainability lead from Doctors Association UK, commented: “The evidence is unequivocal that people in the UK are not eating enough plant-based foods – in particular, vegetables, pulses, legumes, fruit, nuts, seeds and wholegrains – and that public health will improve if we can secure a transition towards more plant-rich diets. That dietary transition can reduce the burden of disease and ease pressure on the NHS. The government has everything to gain by taking action.”
Some 70 per cent of respondents in the poll also agreed that the government should support animal farmers to transition to more sustainable practices, such as re-wilding or plant-based crop production.
Plant-based foods can also help meet the government’s environmental goals. A 2023 study published in Nature Food concluded that “plant-based diets produce 75 per cent less heat-trapping gas, generate 75 per cent less water pollution and use 75 per cent less land than meat-rich diets”.
The Ten Point Plan:
Leverage public procurement and catering to source and provide more plant-based foods, normalising plant-rich diets and catalysing growth in the market.
Encourage food supply companies to transition towards a higher proportion of sales of plant-based foods.
Bolster food security and economic growth through support for the horticulture sector to produce more fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans and pulses in the UK.
Support British farmers to increase production and provision of plant proteins for human consumption in the UK.
Make it easier and more affordable for people to access and eat healthy food.
Raise public understanding of the health and environmental benefits of healthy plant-rich foods and diets.
Improve labelling to raise public understanding of health, environmental and animal welfare impacts.
Improve training for health and food professionals in regard to healthy plant-rich foods.
Update, reform and apply the Eatwell Guide dietary guidelines.
Increase investment in and support for healthy, sustainable alternative proteins.