The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee has published its Food Security Report, giving Government two months to respond to the recommendations.
There were 23 conclusions and recommendations in the full report, which focuses on six key points, including:
- The importance of food security
- Government food policy
- UK food supply
- Domestic food security
- Household food security
- Obesity and access to healthy food
Amongst these, EFRA recommended that the Prime Minister should chair a food security summit later in 2023 and make it an annual event. It also stated that Government departments review how they are structured and their ability to develop and implement food policy, recommending that the Cabinet Office undertakes and publishes its findings in the coming 12 months.
The report also indicated that the Government should work to develop and launch a suite of food security indicators, and advised that the UK Food Security Report be updated and published annually.
NFU response
National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Minette Batters said: “We have been calling for Government to take our national food security seriously for several years and we echo the Committee’s recommendation for strong leadership on the issue.
“As part of this leadership, the need for all Government departments to have a coordinated approach towards food policy is vital. We welcome the recommendation of a Cabinet Office review into all aspects of food policy.
“At such a tricky time for many UK households, the report addresses much of the inflationary pressures experienced by both families and farmers and growers. Everyone should have access to affordable, quality, sustainable food and British farmers and growers need the support of Government to have the confidence to continue producing. The reports’ finding that only 54% of the food eaten in the UK being grown here is shocking and it is concerning that this number could decrease further if British food and farming isn’t valued.
“In the same week as CF Fertilisers announced it will be permanently closing its Billingham ammonia plant, the report’s acknowledgement of the risk of there only being one fertiliser factory in the UK is a timely one. Availability of fertiliser is a crucial element of domestic food security and Government should look closely at how this could impact production.”
