The NFU is urging immediate government action to prioritise domestic food production equally with environmental concerns.
- Currently, the UK is 60% self-sufficient in food, but the NFU highlights risks of falling below this level.
- Inflation and international instability are exacerbating challenges in the UK food supply chain.
- Climate change is creating extreme weather impacting farmers both locally and globally.
- The NFU warns against over-reliance on imports amid global economic and climatic challenges.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has called upon the government to embed food production firmly within its political agenda, advocating for it to receive the same focus as environmental issues. Statistics indicate the UK is presently 60% self-sufficient in food production, and NFU President Minette Batters has urged the government to enact legislation ensuring this self-sufficiency does not decline.
The UK is grappling with significant agri-food inflation, which has reached 19.2%. The disruption in the supply chain, influenced by global events such as the war in Ukraine and unprecedented weather conditions, raises the stakes further. Batters commented on the volatility within the global food system, stating she had “never known such volatility,” highlighting the urgent need for governmental action.
The climate crisis is worsening the situation, with erratic weather patterns posing new challenges. Unseasonal heavy rain this past July and August underscores the need for more resilient supply chains, according to Batters. The economic and climatic pressures are also affecting global grain markets, driven by the conflict in Ukraine and adverse weather conditions in Southern Europe, where farmers face severe difficulties.
Emphasising the vulnerability of current supply chains, the NFU has called on the government to play an active role in enhancing the resilience of UK food systems. Batters warned against relying too heavily on imports, which could leave the UK exposed to external economic and climatic threats, at a time when many nations are confronting their own agricultural challenges.
The NFU’s call for action highlights the need for balanced government policy integrating both domestic food production and environmental priorities.
