UK political parties are being accused by farming and retail bodies of neglecting the looming threat of severe food shortages in the country, labeling it a critical oversight in their current election campaigns.
In a unified statement, major organizations including the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have expressed deep frustration over the lack of attention given to food security by politicians seeking votes. In a letter addressed to leaders of the Conservative, Labour, and Liberal Democrat parties, these groups emphasized that ensuring the population’s food safety is a fundamental responsibility of any government.
“While defence and energy security have dominated the discourse, food security has been conspicuously absent,” the letter stated. It described this omission as a troubling blind spot in the political narrative, especially given the challenges faced by food producers.
The letter, also signed by the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) and UK Hospitality, highlighted the myriad difficulties confronting farmers, such as adverse weather conditions and rising production costs. England, for instance, witnessed its wettest 18-month period on record between October 2022 and March 2024, severely impacting agricultural output.
Citing analysis by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, the letter warned that key crop production, including wheat, barley, and oats, could drop significantly this year due to the prolonged wet weather. The NFU’s annual farmer confidence survey further indicated widespread intentions among farmers to reduce production in the coming year.
Despite the UK food system’s resilience during recent crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and Brexit, the letter argued that supply chains have been strained, leading to sporadic shortages on supermarket shelves.
“It would be naive to assume our food system can indefinitely withstand shocks, especially amidst rising geopolitical instability and climate change,” the organizations asserted.
Tom Bradshaw, president of the NFU, expressed concern that food security has not been adequately addressed in the initial weeks of campaigning for the upcoming general election on 4 July. While acknowledging positive aspects in all party manifestos, he stressed the need for stronger commitments to safeguard food production.
The Conservative Party has pledged a £1 billion increase in the national farming budget over the parliamentary term, along with setting a legally binding food security target. The Liberal Democrats have committed to injecting £1 billion annually into farming, along with promises of increased consultation with the sector on trade negotiations.
Labour, while endorsing food security as a national priority, has yet to specify a budget for agriculture in its manifesto, a point of concern for the NFU.
In conclusion, the joint letter from the agricultural and retail sectors called on all parties to commit to robust agricultural budgets that align with environmental objectives, a supportive planning system for infrastructure investment, and a trade strategy that minimizes trade barriers and tariffs.
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