NFU issue UK food security warning

PRODUCE grown and reared on British farms will meet only half of the country’s demand for food in 25 years, according to a report.

The National Farmers’ Union said UK’s self sufficiency is in a 30-year downward spiral, with 60 per cent of food needs met with produce from farms here.

At current rates, and with the UK population expected to grow by 13 million, the figure could fall to 53per cent by the 2040s, the NFU claimed, warning it would have serious implications for the British economy, food security and employment.

Farmers are calling for the next government to make food and farming a priority, in the face of a growing population, climate change and market volatility.

Farming leaders say they have the backing of the public, with polling by YouGov for the NFU showing that 85per cent of people want to see supermarkets selling more food from British farms – up from 79per cent in 2014.

NFU president Meurig Raymond said the report pointed to the reasons for the UK’s declining food self sufficiency, including European and UK farm policy changes, declining investment in public research and development, poorly crafted regulation and weak bargaining power for farmers in the food chain.

He said: “The stark choice for the next government is whether to trust the nation’s food security to volatile world markets or to back British farming and reverse the worrying trend in food production.

“I know what I want to happen. I want to see a robust plan for increasing the productive potential of farming, stimulating investment and ensuring that the drive to increase British food production is at the heart of every government department.”

Scotland is currently celebrating the Year of Food and Drink, an initiative led by tourism body VisitScotland for the Scottish Government, which aims to increase and promote Scottish produce across the tourism sector.