UK food security being put at risk

Britain cannot simply “grow its way out” of food security concerns without maintaining a strong and balanced global supply chain as concerns continue to mount over the future resilience of the nation’s food system.

While oversimplifying the debate risks creating even greater vulnerabilities for UK consumers.

The solution isn’t as simple as grow more here. Land availability remains a major challenge and the UK itself is increasingly exposed to the very same climate shocks affecting global production regions. We absolutely can grow more domestically, but food security depends on achieving the right balance between UK production and diverse seasonal sourcing from around the world.

Imported fresh produce remains essential to feeding the nation year-round and ensuring consumers continue to have access to affordable and diverse fruit and vegetable supplies.

We import approximately 4 million tonnes or half of the UK’s fresh produce imports from the rest of the world sources excluding the EU. This includes much of favourite fruit consumers enjoy every single day. That global supply network is not a weakness — it is a critical part of our national food security strategy.

The FPC says the proposed UK-EU “Reset” arrangements could knowingly place that balance under serious strain by creating new and unnecessary regulatory and financial burdens on non-EU imports.

If this is truly about the UK’s biosecurity risk management, why would we deliberately place feeding the nation at greater risk by simply and willing adopting unnecessary EU legislation on food supplies destined solely to be consumed in the UK. We don’t do it now.

In effect we are assuming the EU alone will wish to supply the volumes and seasonal continuity the UK requires? It simply cannot.

The scale and seasonality of UK fresh produce demand requires a balanced domestic and global supply model. This is absolutely imperative.

The industry remains deeply concerned the government is failing to recognise the strategic importance of maintaining strong relationships with non-EU trading partners.

The rest of the world supply chain is not optional — it is fundamental to mitigating food security risks. Yet we continue to see policies developing that will add hundreds of millions of pounds in unnecessary officially imposed costs at the sole discretion of the UK government on global food imports at a time when affordability and resilience should be the priority.

I also question the scientific justification behind he regulatory SPS changes currently being discussed.

The SPS regulations and widespread protectionist official import inspections we now believe will be applied are simply unnecessary and add no beneficial value to UK trade or hard-pressed UK consumers. To be clear UK SPS controls of Rest of the World fresh produce has changed significantly (for the better) since leaving the EU. The UK science-based approach removed or significantly reduced this outdated border inspection approach.

Any reset must not come at the expense of broader food security.

We support a sensible reset, but not at any cost,” he continued. “We have repeatedly offered practical solutions that would deliver a balanced, resilient and effective food supply system to max trade with the EU and Rest of the World promoting a practical win win solution. Unfortunately, the sector fears it will once again be ignored, with fresh produce businesses becoming the casualty of short-sighted political decisions.

The warning from FPC comes amid continued debate over how the UK can strengthen long-term food resilience while coping with climate pressures, dramatically rising costs, labour shortages and increasingly volatile international trade conditions.