FLOUR MILLERS SET TO JOIN "NATIONAL CONVERSATION" ON LAND USE
The trade association for millers commented on the Government's consultation on a new approach to managing land use.
UK Flour Millers, the trade association for flour milling in the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, welcomed last week’s launch by Government of a consultation on a new strategic approach to managing land use in England (details here).
Chief executive, Alistair Gale, said:
“This consultation is long overdue, given increasing pressures from differing priorities for land use. The UK is well placed in terms of food security, being essentially self-sufficient in terms of flour production.
“In a normal harvest year, more than three-quarters of the wheat we mill comes from British farms. That makes us the biggest single customer for UK grown wheat. A vibrant farming sector, with access to the most productive agricultural land is essential to us as flour millers. Changes to land use and extreme weather in recent seasons have challenged UK wheat production, with high quality wheat particularly affected. Our use of homegrown wheat this season is projected to be the lowest in 20 years, directly linked to lower levels of domestic wheat production.
“We are looking forward actively to engaging in the coming debate, ensuring that the shared priorities of farming and flour production as bulwarks of food security are fully understood, valued and sustained for the future.”
Approximately 65% of the flour milled in the UK is used for bread making, with other users including the biscuit and cake industries, starch manufacturers, and food ingredients companies. Around 30% of food products on supermarket shelves contain flour.
About UK Flour Millers:
UK Flour Millers is the trade body for the UK flour milling industry. The association supports members by facilitating reliable, sustainable, and affordable supplies of wheat, providing training, promoting good practices in health and safety, advocating for the industry, and shaping and supporting long-term research and development. The organisation speaks on behalf of their members to government, policy makers, the media, consumers, and other stakeholders.
Notes to readers:
The flour milling industry plays a vital role in feeding and nourishing the nation – flour is an ingredient in approximately one-third of supermarket foods, shown via Ascential data. Furthermore, 99.8% of UK households purchase bread according to Kantar worldpanel. Flour mills operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure that bakeries, food manufacturers, restaurants, and retailers have the flour they need to make food for the nation.
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