A future Labour government should seek to boost domestic food production and incorporate sustainability into dietary advice, a group of food policy experts has said.

The group, consisting of academics and environmental health professionals, argued that the prospect of a Labour or Labour-led government following the next election provides an opportunity to reset UK food policy and address issues such as “shocking” levels of food poverty, concerns about UK food security and trade policy, and the need to tackle food as part of the drive to net-zero.

In an open letter the experts set out a number of actions they believe are needed. Immediate low-cost measures include the creation of a permanent national council for food strategy or national food council to provide scientific and policy coherence that is “currently lacking”.

They also want to see Labour signal that the UK should raise its food production above the current 54% level of supply, measured against sustainability criteria while aiming to diversify rather than concentrate sourcing.

In addition, they called for the immediate expansion of the seasonal agricultural workers scheme from the current 45,000 to 100,000 with the aim of encouraging the horticultural industry in particular to plant food.

The current Eatwell Guide, which contains the UK’s national dietary recommendations, should be expanded into “a more appropriate sustainable diet guide, linking human and ecosystems health”. This would provide a framework for net-zero as well as public sector and consumer advice, according to the group.

Medium-term actions should include the development and encouragement of regional food hubs, and the creation of food poverty reduction targets within an inequality reduction strategy

Ahead of local elections next week national polls suggest Labour is on track to form the next government either with a majority or as the major party in a coalition or minority government.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer pledged that a Labour government would uphold UK food standards in future trade deals and support sustainable public sector food as he set out his vision for food and farming in a key speech in February.