British farmers ready to tackle food security

Their rallying call follows the publication of the Government-backed Foresight report into food security which warned food prices could rise by up to 50 per cent unless farmers can boost production.

Defra Secretary Caroline Spelman said yesterday (Monday, January 24) the Government was ready to play its part in leading a global effort to boost production and reducing the environmental impact of agriculture.

Farmers too are ready to play their part, but only if the Government puts its words into action.

NFU chief science advisor Dr Helen Ferrier said work needed to be done to reduce waste and to reduce yield losses from pests and disease.

She said: “There are high expectations on our farmers so we need forward thinking policies, effective supply chains and investment in R&D to be able to produce more while impacting less on the environment. 

“British agriculture has a critical role to play in securing food supplies for the long term and we must look at how the UK can be part of the solution rather than having an island mentality.

“But we can only do that if the Government takes its own commitment to increasing food production seriously, recognises the value of domestic production and puts in place a policy framework that will enable Britain’s producers to optimise productivity while protecting the environment in a changing world.”

In Scotland, NFUS president Jim McLaren said farmers were already playing a key role and called on retailers and the wider food chain to support them in stepping up their efforts.

He said: “Scottish farmers are already delivering on the report’s central theme of a “sustainable intensification of farming”.  

“Improving efficiency and reducing waste on Scottish farms has already seen our farmers produce more food while using fewer inputs.  

“At this moment in time, the biggest barrier to that positive trend continuing is the dysfunctional nature of many of our supply chain arrangements.  It is absolutely essential that producer commitment to efficiency and sustainable farming is met with a similar commitment from the marketplace.”

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