Call for joined-up Government virus action to ensure small food business survival

The document said better Government coordination could also ensure sufficient quantities of nutritious food are made available to consumers on a fair basis, give clarity and guidance to community organisations matching supply and demand and stop the state from losing credibility as ‘guardian of the nation’s nutritional health’.

Lead author Dr Rosalind Sharpe said: “Food affects many policy sectors, from agriculture and business to trade and health.

“As a result, important decisions which affect what we eat and who gets to eat it are made in different parts of Government, and they do not always join up.

“This is not a new problem, but Covid-19 has really highlighted the lack of coordination, for example with food shortages and surpluses hitting at the same time.”

Co-author Dr Kelly Parsons warned the committee would need senior backing, a wide remit and enough resources to do the job if it were to be successful.