UK Seafood Federation: Backing Sustainable Food Procurement

The UK Seafood Federation has announced its backing for government measures designed to enhance sustainable and locally sourced food procurement throughout England's public sector institutions.

The organisation, which serves as the leading representative body for seafood processors and traders across the country, responded positively to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (Defra) recent policy announcement focused on improving sustainable and local food sourcing within England's public sector. The programme offers grant funding to local authorities, enabling them to enhance procurement processes for critical public services including schools and hospitals.

Public procurement's economic impact

Last month, Food Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle introduced the initiative, targeting a sector with an annual food and catering expenditure approaching £5bn (US$6.75bn).

The government recognises significant potential in the public sector's substantial purchasing capacity.

This could present opportunities to enhance public health outcomes, strengthen local business networks and develop more sustainable food supply chains.

Angela says: "By learning from those already leading the way, we can raise food procurement standards right across England and ensure our food procurement spend delivers for the local economy."

The programme aims to leverage public sector spending to advance sustainable food procurement practices across England, working towards the government's target for a minimum of half of all public sector food to be sourced locally or certified to higher environmental standards. The initiative could improve procurement processes, expand access to healthier and more sustainable food options and help local and small food businesses better understand public sector supply requirements.

Supporting healthier public services

Dan Aherne, CEO of Woocheen Group incorporating New England Seafood and responsible lead for the UK Seafood Federation seafood consumption growth initiative, welcomed the development. "Our Federation has a mission in making seafood a bigger part of the British diet. The leadership shown by Minister Eagle to introduce healthier, sustainably sourced food into councils and communities is strongly welcomed," Dan says.

"We hope the Federation and its members can support local councils in making sustainable seafood choices, achieve NHS dietary requirements and shape healthy outcomes for those who are catered for."

Dan outlined the Federation's commitment to assisting public sector organisations with seafood product procurement, including British seafood varieties, and developing budget-appropriate menus that could deliver positive public health and environmental outcomes.

Building partnerships for responsible sourcing

The UK Seafood Federation, a membership organisation working to establish seafood as fundamental to national and planetary health, has launched an initiative to increase domestic consumption. Following its October 2025 conference, the Federation formed a strategic working group with Seafish and the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

The partnership seeks to strengthen the seafood category through a unified market position, supported by evidence-based messaging about the benefits of increased seafood consumption.

According to environmental assessments, seafood represents a sustainable dietary choice, characterised by reduced carbon emissions, limited water consumption and no connection to deforestation. When responsibly sourced, seafood could support physical and mental well-being, sustain global communities and economies whilst providing diverse options across all price points.

The initiative contributes to the government's Good Food Cycle, supporting healthier and more sustainable food environments that align with high animal welfare standards, environmentally sustainable supply chains and resilient domestic food production.