MPs from the EFRA Select Committee will question the Rt Hon George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and will hear evidence from a range of experts on food supply during the COVID-19 pandemic today.
Likely topics for discussion include measures taken to minimise and discourage panic-buying, the provision of food to households in self-isolation, and how those currently relying on food banks will be supported during the pandemic. The Committee will also hear evidence on the impact of the outbreak on the hospitality industry, and its long-term effect on the food supply chain.
The experts appearing before the committee at 1.30pm are Andrew Opie, Director of Food Policy, British Retail Consortium (BRC); Kate Nicholls, Chief Executive, UK Hospitality; Garry Lemon, Director of Policy, External Affairs and Research, Trussell Trust
The Committee will then question the Secretary of State, considering food supply in relation to coronavirus, as well as other current issues facing DEFRA such as the response to the winter floods.
MPs to question George Eustice on COVID-19 and food supply
By Chloe Ryan
Chloe Ryan
Editor of Poultry Business, Chloe has spent the past decade writing about the food industry from farming, through manufacturing, retail and foodservice. When not working, dog walking and reading biographies are her favourite hobbies.