Policy analysis indicates health-sensitive trade and subsidy reforms are needed in the UK to avoid adverse dietary health impacts post-Brexit

Summary

This policy analysis, published in Nature Food in 2021, examines how UK trade and subsidy reforms in the post-Brexit period could influence dietary patterns and public health outcomes. The authors use modelling to explore which policy interventions might prevent adverse dietary shifts and associated health impacts. The work suggests that health-sensitive policy design is needed to protect nutrition during the transition away from European trade arrangements.

UK applicability

Directly applicable to UK policy-making post-Brexit. The findings argue for integrating health considerations into trade negotiations and subsidy scheme redesign, particularly regarding the balance between domestic agricultural support and food affordability and nutrient availability for consumers.

Key measures

Projected dietary composition changes, health burden (disability-adjusted life years or similar), food prices, and policy scenario modelling

Outcomes reported

The study modelled how post-Brexit trade and subsidy reforms could affect dietary patterns and health outcomes in the UK population. It assessed policy scenarios to identify which health-sensitive reforms might mitigate adverse dietary impacts.

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