Food Security & The Great South West Partnership: an interview with Chair, Mel Squires

Charles Courtenay is an IP litigation partner at Michelmores and leads our Sustainable Economy programme. Charles also sustainably farms the Powderham Estate in Devon and sits on the cross benches in the House of Lords, as Earl of Devon. In those various capacities, Charles champions the region in Westminster with a particular focus on sustainable land management and agri-tech. Charles is also a member of the Great South West (GSW) All Party Parliamentary Group, and supports the broader work of the GSW – the pan-regional partnership that covers the Isles of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

The GSW recently launched an Independent Economic Review to promote economic growth and investment in the region, with a focus upon the provision of National Security in three key sectors – Energy, Food and Defence.

Charles has been invited to join the GSW’s Food Security programme board, and he recently sat down with the Board’s chair, the NFU’s Mel Squires, to discuss the work of the Board and its aspirations to support the Nation’s Food Security.

Charles: “Mel, please tell us about the Great South West region.”

Mel: “This area is home to over three million people, 133,000 businesses, 8 Universities, 700 miles of coastline, 1.7m hectares of land, including two national parks, and a wealth of natural capital and assets that are unparalleled elsewhere in the UK.

“We have 1.7m hectares of farmed land accounting for 19% of the farms in England producing £3bn of food for the UK each year; the region accommodates approximately one fifth of English farms, and one third of the country’s dairy farmers; with a growing agri-tech and aquaculture ecosystem supported by specialist research centres and education providers. It can mobilise data, technology, and innovation assets to ensure agile and sustainable methods of food production and supply.”

Charles: “What does the GSW partnership aim to achieve for this region?”

Mel: “The GSW partnership is here:

• To champion our incredible region nationally and internationally by convening the collective voice of business, local authorities, Universities and stakeholders, working with Government, investors and others to unlock our transformational opportunities of scale, that stretch beyond local boundaries;
• To work intensively in Whitehall and Westminster, working closely with our parliamentarians through the GSW All Party Parliamentary Group, to make the case for the region to Ministers, Advisers and Senior Officials to ensure that our region is at the heart of Government plans in shaping, influencing and leading policy thinking and change; and
• To mobilise and attract UK and foreign investment into the region, to exploit the incredible opportunities we have here for our businesses to succeed and thrive in pioneering technologies and to win in key global markets, creating high value, well paid jobs for our communities and to deliver for the wider UK.”

Charles: “Tell us about the GSW’s Independent Economic Review.”

Mel: “Our recently published Independent Economic Review sets out just how important the GSW is to the future success and security of the UK. It provides a new roadmap for collaboration with Government, regional partners and investors to help seize the moment of opportunity for our region and our country at this most pivotal of moments.

“It was launched to an audience of 500 at our Sandy Park Conference in September, which included many of our new regional MPs and other political leaders. We have been fortunate that the Review was commissioned and drafted at a time that coincides with the new Labour administration, allowing us the perfect opportunity to drive policy and to deliver a clear message to Westminster and beyond about the GSW’s strategic importance on a national and international stage.”

Charles: “What institutions are assisting with this?”

Mel: “We have great support in the science, academic and educational spaces via the regions’ excellent universities, as well as Rothamsted (North Wyke), along with an agri-tech sector focus in all four counties supporting sustainable food, land and environment system management.”

Charles:  “And why has the Great South West chosen to focus upon these specific sectors?”

Mel: “We know that the GSW is vital to the UK’s economic security as the nation’s powerhouse for food, defence, manufacturing, clean energy, climate resilience and nature recovery. It is home to a vast concentration of national assets, research and innovation capabilities and natural resources, meaning the UK’s future and economic resilience are intertwined with the success of our region. The core messaging of our offer of delivering for the UK is built around our role in:

• Fortifying the UK’s security as the country’s manufacturing and defence powerhouse;
• Powering the UK’s energy security to become a clean energy superpower; and
• Delivering the UK’s food security as the country’s farm and food producer.”

Charles: “How is the food security element of this project supported and what specifically is it seeking to achieve?”

Mel: “Our GSW Food Security programme board is made up of related supply chain professionals, including representatives from local government (Dorset and Cornwall CC), hospitality (Michael Caines), academia (Exeter and Plymouth Universities), as well as food production (Wyke Farms, ABP Beef and St Ewe Eggs) and processing (Taste of the West and Food Works). It was established last April and has the following focus for the coming year:

• Food Security Position paper – launched 14 October 2024,
• Westminster event – 14 October 2024,
• Scoping commercial viability of innovative food systems,
• Strategic business case for an Agri-tech Catapult,
• Advocacy on food procurement and local supply chains, and
• Improving visibility of the region’s offer to, and potential in, the food agenda.”

Charles: “What can those in the region and beyond do to support the work of the GSW Food Security Programme?”

Mel: “We will be engaging with those across the Great South West region and beyond who are involved in the food industry to understand what food security means to them and how we can best support the delivery of this crucial government policy. As the new Government unveils its rural policies and seeks to deliver on its manifesto commitments around food security, we will be looking for every opportunity to remind them of the importance of the GSW to this key mission. All support in that endeavour will be much appreciated.”