Agriculture addressed at City Food lecture

Professor Chris Elliott will call for a new approach to food production and highlight the urgent need for people to reconnect with their food, when he delivers The City Food Lecture 2017.

The professor of food safety, and founder of the Institute for Global Food Security at Queen’s University Belfast will discuss the question: ‘Does it matter where our food comes from?’

In his address, Professor Elliott will highlight his concerns about the growing ‘disconnect’ between people and their knowledge of where their food comes from. He will say that the causes are complex and that both the government and the food industry and educators have responsibilities to address the major societal problem.

Taking place on 21st February at London’s Guildhall, The City Food Lecture is one of the most prestigious events in the food industry’s calendar. It brings together industry leaders, academics and members of London’s leading food related livery companies. Sponsors of the closed event have been a large part of its continued success. This year, it is being supported by Premium sponsor, Rathbones, as well as ABP Food Group, Roythornes, Arthur J Gallagher, Compass Group UK & Ireland, Pelican Communications and Fresh Produce Journal.

In his lecture, Professor Elliott will also examine if our agricultural industry is over regulated, the growing impact of climate change and how increasingly complex food chains leave the UK vulnerable to food shortages and food fraud.

He will suggest that the UK needs to get back to basics, grow more of our own food and remove the multiple steps involved in food production.

John Reynolds, chairman of the City Food Lecture committee said: “Professor Elliott’s lecture will no doubt be a timely reminder of the key challenges our industry faces in the years ahead.”

The lecture will be followed by a panel debate chaired by businesswoman Margaret Mountford and featuring LEAF chief executive Caroline Drummond, writer and broadcaster Tim Hayward and Tesco group quality director Tim Smith.

The event is rounded off with an informal networking supper in the Guildhall’s famous Old Library room.

The City Food Lecture is organised by seven City of London livery companies whose roots are in the food industry – namely the Worshipful Companies of Bakers, Butchers, Cooks, Farmers, Fishmongers, Fruiterers and Poulters.

Previous keynote speakers at the City Food Lecture include Christophe Jouan, chief executive of The Future Foundation, Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King, Unilever chief executive Paul Polman, former Cadbury Schweppes chairman, John Sunderland, and former Tesco chief executive, Sir Terry Leahy.

For more information visit www.cityfoodlecture.com