9 December 2025
Briefing
DIGEST: Policy Briefing
This Policy Briefing summarises the essential actions policymakers must take to deliver a fair, resilient and climate-aligned UK food system by 2050 – as outlined in Roadmap for Resilience: A UK Food Plan for 2050. It outlines five urgent signals that demand immediate attention, presents a practical timeline for system-wide transformation, and sets out ten priority policy measures, from reforming subsidies to establishing a National Food System Transformation Committee. The Roadmap is a collective, evidence-based plan supported by thousands across the AFN Network+, this briefing invites policymakers to engage, collaborate and help shape delivery. It is designed to equip decision-makers with the tools and insights needed to unlock transformational change across agriculture, land use and diets. A big thank you to Ali Morpeth and Veronica Moran at Planeatry Alliance for producing this briefing.
➡️ Download the full briefing ⬅️or read a summary of the points below:
The Roadmap for Resilience: A UK Food Plan for 2050 is a collective vision for the future of food. It brings together the insights of more than 150 experts and the support of over 3,000 AFN Network+ partners.
Why Transformation Can’t Wait
Over recent years, the food system’s vulnerability to sudden shocks has become starkly apparent. By acting now, we can tackle climate change, protect public health, and secure food for future generations – unlocking benefits that touch every community, business and farm.
☁️ 38% of UK emissions are from the food system. By the 2040s the food system will be the biggest source.
📈 1% increase in food price inflation in European countries due to climate impacts.
💷 £268 billion/year – the cost of poor diet outcomes including lost productivity in the UK.
👪 Two-thirds of UK adults obese and under 1% fully meet dietary guidelines.
🚢 50% of vegetables & 85% of fruit imported – much of our cereals harvest goes to feed animals rather than people.
😰 Over 7.2 million food insecure – an 80% increase in 3 years.
The Opportunity We Must Seize
📉 Save billions in healthcare costs
💂🏾♀️ Strengthen national resilience
🫘 Provide healthy food for our society
💦 Improve water quality
🚜 Create new rural jobs
🪺 Enhance biodiversity
5 Signals You Can’t Ignore
The food system will change – with or without us
🚜 Farming is under strain
🌳 Current land use can’t meet future needs
🍽️ The UK can’t afford poor diets
🧩 A fragmented approach only gets us so far
Roadmap Explained
Timeline for Transformation
2025–2030 Lay the groundwork for change. Outcome: A clear direction of travel is set with early wins proving change is possible. Expand and mainstream successful approaches
2030–2040 Expand and mainstream successful approaches. Outcome: Three core transformations are visible across the system and are becoming the norm. Lock in transformation by embedding integrated systems
2040–2050 Lock in transformation by embedding integrated systems. Outcome: A food system that is healthier, fairer and more resilient, delivering benefits for everyone.
10 Policy Priority Actions:
The necessary transformation in agriculture, land use and diet requires coordinated actions. To deliver these transformations and realise the multiple benefits they offer, we have identified ten priority actions that must be taken urgently:
- Reform agricultural subsidies
- Set targets for dietary change and animal numbers
- Require major food businesses to publish food system transition plans
- Create a National Food System Transformation Committee
- Develop more effective food systems data
- Introduce measures to protect and strengthen food security
- Take advantage of emerging opportunities to offset emissions and inset within supply chains
- Develop integrated ‘Food and Land Strategies’
- Use citizens’ assemblies and other deliberative tools
- Expand interdisciplinary research
Call to Action for Policymakers:
The AFN Roadmap is a collective plan — but it can only succeed if policy is at the heart of delivery. AFN+ invites policymakers to:
- Engage with the Roadmap – use its evidence, pathways and actions to inform strategies.
- Collaborate with AFN partners – join cross-sector discussions with 3,000+ stakeholders.
- Shape delivery – work with AFN+ to test interventions and scale what works.
- Stay connected – access tools, events and updates that keep the Roadmap alive.
Together we can make transformation real — ensuring the UK food system delivers for health, nature, resilience and prosperity.
