The consequences of Britain’s failure to give its farmers a fair deal

sir – The main reason for the lack of fresh food in our shops (Letters, February 26) is that the supermarkets are not prepared to pay British farmers a fair price for their produce. As farmers cannot afford to operate at a loss, the shelves will remain empty.

We can no longer rely on buying cheap food from abroad, which has forced so many British producers out of business. When I started farming 60 years ago it took an average household two and a half days’ wages to pay for the week’s groceries. It now takes about half a day’s wages to pay for a shop.

Food will be more expensive in the years ahead and we are going to have to pay the correct price if we want our farms and countryside to thrive.

Richard Beaugie

Shadoxhurst, Kent

sir – Shortages of fresh produce are down to the pricing structure of British supply chains. We don’t allow the prices to fluctuate with supply and demand, as they do in Europe. There, when demand exceeds supply, suppliers are paid more. This enables them to find alternative sources and it also reduces demand, so balance is regained.

Free markets work if they are allowed to. For most of my 30 years in the fresh produce trade we had market pricing and never had empty shelves. It is only in the past 10 years that this problem has arisen.

William Burgess

Upton, Cambridgeshire

sir – We are being told that Brexit is to blame for the fruit and vegetable shortages (report, February 24), but the Brexit decision was nearly seven years ago. What have supermarket bosses, politicians and bureaucrats been doing in the meantime to allow the smooth processes of trade from countries around the world?

On the plus side, hopefully the empty shelves in some food stores will mean less food waste and, perhaps, a better appreciation of our food.

Brian Thorne

Shillingstone, Dorset sir – Farmers Weekly magazine tells me that, in 1984, the United Kingdom was 95 per cent self-sufficient in indigenous food production, and 78 per cent self-sufficient in all foods. In 2009, the figures were 78 per cent and 59 per cent respectively.

As we continue to destroy prime agricultural land for housing and other developments, is Sir Keir Starmer’s pledge that, under Labour, “50 per cent of all food purchased by the public sector will be food produced locally and sustainably” even possible? David Abell

Portsmouth, Hampshire

sir – Some supermarkets have compounded the lack of fresh fruit and vegetables by limiting customers to three items each (report, February 24).

This means people are now buying three cucumbers or cauliflowers, even if they don’t need them, which is leading to emptier shelves and, inevitably, to greater food waste . James Gregory