Debate signals U-turn on food security by ministry

Move is hailed by NFUS as step in right direction

By Joe Watson

Published:

Environment Minister Hilary Benn launched a national debate on future food security yesterday – just over a year after officials in his department rejected the concept and said Britain could rely on imports.

The dramatic U-turn – sparked by increasing food supply problems globally and soaring prices that have led to rising inflation and Labour breaching its fiscal policies – was welcomed by Britain’s farming industry. Farm unions have for years been warning government that its agricultural policy and apparent careless disregard to stemming falling output was stoking up problems, but officials and ministers ignored it.

While Mr Benn said yesterday that Britain had a secure food supply and good self sufficiency, his critics reminded him that Britain could no longer rely on imports as many countries were now banning overseas sales just so they could feed their own populations.

Significantly, Mr Benn accepted potential challenges lie ahead in securing food supplies at reasonable prices, particularly as the global population increases and the impact of climate change and rising oil prices were felt.

He added: “That's why it's sensible to think about the impact of these challenges so that we can plan effectively for the future and identify any further steps that may be needed, bearing in mind that as well as domestic production – which is very important – we also rely on being able to import food.”

The document from farming ministry Defra that forms the basis of the debate suggested more fertiliser for Africa, a global agricultural trade deal and GM crops – which it still bans from commercial production in Britain – as ways of tackling global food security and preventing millions of people in developing countries from going hungry and falling into poverty. It repeated the Labour government’s mantra that subsidies in the EU and US were hindering the development of agriculture in developing nations.

NFU Scotland chief executive James Withers said the change of heart was startling as was the importance the government now appeared to be placing on food security.

But he added: “The launch of this discussion paper is a step in the right direction, but it must mark the start of a fundamental shift in UK Government thinking. It is still pursuing outdated policies which are actually exacerbating food security concerns, not alleviating them. Simplistic cries to ‘scrap the Cap’, the complete failure on bovine TB control and attempts to shift disease control costs on to industry are all examples of policies that have the potential to jeopardise our food production infrastructure.”

NFU England expressed disappointment at the government's continued focus on international issues, saying ensuring food security should start at home and in securing the future of Britain's farmers.