The UK’s food supply could be at risk from threats such as climate change, high oil prices and terrorism, it has been claimed.
The Conservatives said self-sufficiency in producing meet, fresh vegetables and eggs has declined in the past decade. Leaving the country more vulnerable to external impacts such as terrorism, population increase and global warming.
According to figures obtained by the Tories, the proportion of fresh vegetables we use that are grown in the UK is down from 70% in 1997 to 58% last year, while the figure for pork has dropped from 118% to 69%.
Speaking on the UN’s world food day, shadow agricultural minister Jim Paice warned of a collapse in food security at a time when the country should be improving its resilience.
“ Today’s global food system is vulnerable to international political crisis, rising input costs, terrorism threats, population increase and climate pressures.
With food shortages taking hold across the world and global demand set to double by 2050, the Government should be seeking to optimise home production rather than rely increasingly on imports, “ he urged.
The Soil Association, which supports organic farming, warned the UK’s own food and farming system could also “ unravel” in the face of climate change and high oil prices - which push up the costs of fossil fuels- based chemicals fertilisers.
The association’s campaigns director Robin Maynard warned food security was not just an issue for developing countries but also for the UK.
“With it’s dependence on oil and fossil fuel-based chemicals, the majority of present day UK agriculture is less resilient than the form of mixed farming that overcame the U boat blockade during the Second World War”, he said.
City University’s professor of food policy Tim Lang called for new efforts by the UK Government to create a more sustainable food policy. He said the food system had to deliver on multiple fronts, taking account of issues such as water, climate change, nutrition and affordability.
Big Green Switch/MSM Environment UK.
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