The NFU is calling for a commitment from government that Britain’s food production will not slip below its current level of 60% self-sufficiency, alongside greater ambition in promoting British food at home and abroad to aid food security.
The call comes on Back British Farming Day as the NFU releases a new report which asks for the government to complete a comprehensive report on UK food security later this year, covering the country’s production of key foods and its contribution to global food security. This would be the first meaningful assessment of UK food security in over a decade and the first under the requirements of the Agriculture Act that mandate reporting every three years.
The report also showcases how the UK can reduce its reliance on food imports by harnessing the growth opportunities for different home-grown foods and increasing British sourcing in public procurement, coupled with ambitious food and trade strategies that will help farmers provide more quality, affordable and climate-friendly food to people at home and abroad.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “British farmers produce some of the best food in the world. Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it’s produced to incredibly high environmental, animal welfare, traceability, and food safety standards – something not every country is able to say.
“Yet, over the past few years, not enough importance has been placed on Britain’s food production. This has been all too clear as the country has watched its self-sufficiency drop from as high as 78% in the mid-80s to its current level of just 60%. As an island nation which is very well suited for quality food production, it would be a mistake to let that happen again and become even more reliant on the rest of the world to feed us.
“Delivering a comprehensive report into food security and taking appropriate action in response would show the government is serious and ambitious about boosting sustainable food production in Britain. This would not only help reduce the UK’s reliance on imports, which often fall below our own high standards of production, but also enable farmers to build the British brand overseas through trade.
“If our government truly backs the potential of British food and farming, the country could see huge benefits. British farmers could increase the industry’s economic contribution and provide more nutritious, affordable, climate-friendly British food for UK shoppers and people across the world, all while bolstering domestic and global food security.”
Other key asks outlined in the report include:
- Extending Defra’s ministerial portfolio to include food security and agri-food trade and competitiveness.
- UK-produced food to be put at the heart of public procurement policy with assurances that the public sector does not provide a back door to food imports not produced to UK production standards.
- An ambitious marketing strategy for British food exports which includes agricultural counsellors in key potential markets across the world and UK government-backed promotion of ‘Brand Britain’.
- A supportive approach that enables new technology and innovation to be embraced by farmers, ensuring international competitiveness and climate friendly food production.
- Domestic policies – and the associated investment needed – that ensure farmers can continue to be producers of world-leading food while delivering for the environment, the economy and net zero.
Why have I seen MPs wearing a wheat pin badge?
All MPs are being invited to show their support for British farming by wearing a wool and wheatsheaf pin badge in the Palace of Westminster on Back British Farming Day (Wednesday 15 September) and to post a photograph of the badge saying what farming means to them, on Twitter, using #BackBritishFarmingDay.
Over the coming weeks MPs may be out on farm. If they visit a farm they’re asked to take a photo and post on their social media channels using #BackBritishFarming.
What is Back British Farming Day?
Now in its sixth year, the day celebrates British farming values and highlights its importance to the UK economy. We will be reminding politicians that British food and farming contributes over £120 billion to the UK economy each year and employs four million people.
This year it gives farmers an opportunity to promote British farming’s commitment to growing our food, shaping and caring for our countryside and farmed landscapes, and protecting the natural environment for future generations.
The NFU is also launching a new food report to reinforce that British food is some of the highest quality, safest, and most nutritious food in the world and that we have the climate and the natural resources to produce fresh, affordable food for everyone, in every corner of the UK.
What are the NFU’s asks?
The NFU is calling for a commitment from government that Britain’s food production will not slip below its current level of 60% self-sufficiency, alongside greater ambition in promoting British food at home and abroad to aid food security.
Its new food report also asks the government to complete a comprehensive report on UK food security later this year, covering the country’s production of key foods and its contribution to global food security. This would be the first meaningful assessment of UK food security in over a decade and the first under the requirements of the Agriculture Act that mandate reporting every three years.