Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she is taking steps to increase domestic production of plant proteins for direct human consumption in the UK.

The Government is monitoring scientific developments in alternative proteins and supporting UK Research and Innovation-funded initiatives such as the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre.

Sector Growth Plans (SGPs) will take a sector approach to focus on achieving good growth in the horticulture sector by improving farm productivity, increasing profitability, and strengthening the contribution of domestically produced food for national security. SGPs work with the Farming and Food Partnership Board to bring industry and Government together to develop a shared, evidence-based view of opportunities, constraints, and trade-offs. The Government and the Farming and Food Advisory Board have recognised significant profit and productivity opportunities in the horticulture sector, and work on the plan is already underway by the sector expert groups.