Zack Polanski warns Britain’s food system is ‘close to collapse’
Green Party co-leader Zack Polanski has issued a stark warning about the UK’s food system, claiming it is “on the brink of collapse” and that the contributions of food workers are being “derided”. He will give a speech on Monday to call for more support for farmers.
Mr Polanski will advocate for robust regulation of supermarkets to ensure growers get a fair deal for their produce. He is also expected to demand the Government deliver a “real plan” to support the struggling agricultural sector.
The Greens’ proposals include providing free school meals to all primary and secondary school students. They also propose a basic income of £1,000 a month for some agricultural workers, saying this would be funded through a tax on the wealthiest landowners.
The party is also committing to a universal minimum wage of £15 per hour for all workers regardless of their age, with costs for small businesses mitigated by reductions in National Insurance contributions.
Speaking to the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union on Monday, Mr Polanski said: “Just a few weeks ago we saw the hottest May day ever recorded in the UK.
“At the beginning of May the UK received 23% less rain than average. The Committee on Climate Change warns we could see temperatures above 40C within 25 years.”
“This doesn’t just mean more people getting sick from extreme heat, or more pressure on infrastructure that isn’t adapted to those temperatures. As many of you in this room know all too well, this has dire consequences for the most basic need we all have: food.”
The party leader will tell the audience that their work “keeps the country moving forward” but “this fact is often forgotten.”
It will say: “Your work is belittled, shrugged off, or taken for granted. Your salary doesn’t match the importance of the work you do and doesn’t keep up with your rising bills.”
“Your working hours are getting longer, you are expected to work in increasingly hot or wet conditions, you have an insecure contract and so you are afraid of taking sick leave or a day off to spend with your children.
“The system is broken. Under the increasing pressure of the climate crisis, it is close to collapse.”
Labor accused the Green leader of chasing “cheap headlines”.
A party spokesman said: “If Zack Polanski had bothered to do his research he would know that Labor has already invested £200 million to help Britain’s agricultural sector adapt to a changing climate to help us ensure food security in the long term.
“Keir Starmer’s Labor Government is the first to commit to maintaining levels of domestic food production and highlighting vital protections for farmers in the supply chain.
“While Zack Polanski chases cheap headlines, Labor is focused on easing the cost of living, supporting our farmers and making sure we deliver the food security Britain needs.”
