Food for thought
Global logistics and ‘just in time’ procurement is all very well but an early lesson from the covid crisis has been the importance of solid supply chains. In the case of food, this means having greater self-sufficiency so that Britain is resilient in the face of events.
Panic buying triggered by the pandemic saw shelves depleted, notably of staples like fruit and veg. Unhelpfully, the UK only produces 18% of its fruit needs and 55% of its vegetables.
Overall, our food self-sufficiency sits at 64%. Interestingly, despite the rising population but with a nod to increased agricultural efficiency, that’s a rise against pre-war levels of 40%. Strict rationing was required for many years, reflecting an over reliance on imports. But it is also a drop since 1984, when our levels sat at 78%.
Brexit and Covid are not the only incentives to improve our domestic agricultural yield. The UK’s hosting of COP26 presents opportunities for the Government to integrate its green agenda with food security.
Last week I met virtually with members of the local NFU. Minette Batters, NFU President, has said; “The entire economy is now aiming to build back better, to build back greener. British farming can be central to that green recovery. We have a golden opportunity to place food security at the centre of our food system and become a global leader in sustainable food production." I agree and, observing that farming must remain principally about food production, not park keeping, believe that farmer businesses are central to a net zero carbon, greener future.
The Environmental Land Management scheme is the cornerstone of the UK’s new agricultural policy. It is intended as a vehicle for achieving the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and a commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, while supporting the rural economy. Under the scheme, farmers and land managers will be paid to improve the environment, promote animal health and welfare, and cut carbon. All of this, I very much hope, without undermining the competitive positive of the UK agri-food sector in selling domestically and exporting produce.
On food security, the Government has commissioned a two-part independent review, entitled the National Food Strategy. This will feed into a policy White Paper outlining what action ministers propose taking. I will be watching for this closely since the primary purpose of farming must remain food production, and at a price that my constituents can afford.