NSA calls on government to wake up to UK food security concerns
The National Sheep Association (NSA) is calling for the release of the government’s long awaited UK Food Strategy following the UN’s warning of “an imminent global food crisis” due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The announcement comes after the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) called for a ‘transformation’ of agriculture to make it more resilient to shocks. The FAO highlighted the findings of the Global Report on Food Crises, which found that 193 million people were ‘acutely food insecure’ and ‘in need of urgent assistance’ across 53 countries.
Food prices in the UK and worldwide have surged because of fears about the disruption caused by the Ukraine conflict. India’s ban on wheat exports has also had an impact on global food security.
According to the World Trade Organisation, wheat prices have risen by more than 60% in 2022, predominantly due to the impact of the Ukraine conflict. In mid-May, the benchmark wheat index rose to its highest rate in two months, with a 5.9% rise in Chicago.
A lack of vision
NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker said that there is “a lack of vision” from the UK government when it comes to food security and feeding the country.
He said: “Many of the future farming schemes under development could help lead us to a better and more resilient and sustainable food sector – but there is still an absence of the vision, and a strategy, to deliver truly integrated ambitions for food, climate, nature, natural resources, and ethically sound food farming and land management.
“Investment in our own food supply chain, infrastructure and the next generation will be absolutely key in ensuring the UK can continue to feed itself in an increasingly volatile political landscape.”
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