Too Good To Be True? How Brexit Could Give Britain the Most Progressive Food Policy in Europe

Abstract

In this paper I analyze the implications of the UKs leaving of the European Union for the country's potential to make its food system more sustainable. Using the Netherlands as an example I show how many EU policies at present may hamper an effective transition of EU member states towards policies that are more environmentally sustainable, animal friendly and healthy for citizens, because of the limited autonomy member state governments have in developing their own national policies. I subsequently review some of the UKs policy plans that have been developed in the runup to Brexit and conclude that these rival and may even exceed the policy ambitions of the EU. As such the UK may in fact function as test site for new policies that could eventually also find its way in the EU.

Keywords: Brexit, food policies, European Union, sustainability, agriculture.