Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Food Security

Thursday 12 January 2023 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK produces 61% of its food needs, with the remainder supplied through strong trade links.
  • The Government encourages procurement of British food in public sector purchases.
  • Prices for basic food items are 1.25 for a loaf of bread and 95p for a pint of milk in local supermarkets.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Marco Longhi
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question follows the publication of the first UK food security report in December 2021, which highlighted a resilient and diverse food supply chain. The report noted that the UK produces 61% of its food needs.

Question

What steps is she taking to strengthen domestic food security, given the recent publication of the UK food security report showing that the country produces 61% of its food needs?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The first UK food security report was published in December 2021, showing a resilient and diverse food supply chain. The UK produces 61% of the food it needs, complemented by strong trade links, and this figure has remained stable over the last two decades. We also published the Government food strategy last June, committing to maintain broadly the current level of domestic food production and boost production in sectors with significant opportunities.

Answered
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Q2 Geraint Davies Lab
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Newcastle University believes the mass killing of crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans off the north-east coast is due to dredging ahead of a freeport. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has dismissed this as a natural event due to algae bloom and has set up an inquiry.

Question

On food security and fish stocks, Newcastle University believes the mass killing of crabs, lobsters and other crustaceans off the north-east coast is due to dredging ahead of a freeport. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has dismissed it as a natural event due to algae bloom and has set up an inquiry. Will she commit to an independent evaluation of the evidence, to protect all coasts from massive destruction?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The impact on crabs is under investigation. The adequacy of UK's food security is unaffected by this event, which is the topic of this question.

Not addressed: Commitment to independent evaluation

How: Changed Subject

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Q3 John Spellar Lab
NHS Education Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

A significant amount of food is purchased by the public sector, including Government Departments such as Defence, hospitals, and local government. Consistent orders from these sectors could enhance domestic food production.

Question

Is it clear that secure domestic food production requires consistent orders? The public sector purchases a huge amount of food, especially in areas like Defence, hospitals, and schools. What action is the Secretary taking to ensure they prioritise buying British?

Answer from Therese Coffey

There is Government policy to encourage procurement of British food, and local authorities will continue to consider it when deciding on school meals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions being taken by the Secretary

How: Hedging Language

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Q4 Marco Longhi
Business & Trade Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Recent events have highlighted the importance of resilience across core areas like food, water, and energy. Producing our own food is key to this, but stronger trading relationships can also improve resilience.

Question

Does she agree that producing our own food is key, but that resilience can be improved with stronger trading relationships with many more countries, such as Brazil?

Answer from Therese Coffey

There are foodstuffs we enjoy that cannot be produced in this country. It is important to continue world trade, especially with Brazil which is an important partner for the Government.

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Q5 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Land required for food production is being threatened by housing, commercial developments, and solar farms. The new national planning policy framework aims to address this issue.

Question

Does he agree that the biggest challenge to UK food security is competing land demands from housing, commercial organisations, and solar farms? Will she join him in welcoming the increased protections for agricultural land in the consultation on the new national planning policy framework?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The issue of land use is critical, and we have committed to producing a new land use framework. My hon. Friend made the case strongly during the passage of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill and was able to secure changes that are being consulted on.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitments on land protections

How: Hedging Language

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Q6 Jim McMahon Labour (Co-op) Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Benefits & Welfare Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Environment Secretary stated that it is not the Government's role to feed people. Food inflation has reached a 40-year high, leading to food poverty for millions.

Question

Does she agree that her Department's failure to publish the food security report and distribute FareShare grants shows a lack of understanding of food security? Can she tell the House the price of a loaf of bread and a pint of milk in her local supermarket?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The prices are £1.25 for a loaf of bread from Tesco and 95p for a pint of milk. The last food security report was published in December 2021, showing resilience in the food supply chain.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific obligations on food security report distribution

How: Hedging Language

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Q7 Jim McMahon Labour (Co-op) Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
Brexit Benefits & Welfare Environment
Context

The question is prompted by ongoing issues with sewage discharge and the cost of living crisis affecting food security. The MP criticises the Secretary of State for perceived inaction on these critical issues.

Question

Is it not true that we have a Secretary of State overseeing a sewage scandal who did not believe meeting water bosses was a priority; a Secretary of State responsible for food security in a cost of living crisis who does not think it is the Government's job to make sure people have access to food; and a Secretary of State who has a lead role in climate change who, frankly, is clocking up more air miles than Father Christmas? Even when she is here, she is missing in action. Can she prove that she is finally getting a grip of this?

Answer from Therese Coffey

Let us just go back and remind ourselves that there was no monitoring of sewage under the Labour Government; that was introduced under a Conservative Government. We have gone to a situation where we are recording more, using the price review to open up investment, challenging through Ofwat to get storm overflows discharge reduction plan, so that by the end of this year we will actually have 100% monitoring right across the country. Conservatives do not shy away from problems; we open them up, put a spotlight on them, take action and get stuff done.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask about proving concrete actions was not directly addressed.

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Q8 Patricia Gibson SNP
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The National Farmers Union of Scotland (NFUS) has raised concerns about the strategic importance of fertiliser amid a worsening food security crisis due to a 200% increase in fertiliser costs. The MP is seeking support from the UK Government on this issue.

Question

The NFUS is calling on the UK Government to recognise the strategic importance of fertiliser amid a worsening food security crisis and a 200% increase in fertiliser costs. It is vital that more support is given to domestic food production. Will the Secretary of State meet me and the NFUS to discuss supporting domestic fertiliser production and building greater transparency in the market to drive resilience and security?

Answer from Therese Coffey

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries and I met the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to discuss this particular issue, and that Secretary of State then took action by requiring information. However, I am not in a position to be able to share any more information due to commercial sensitivity.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask about a meeting was partially addressed but no commitment for a concrete plan or timeline was given.

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Q9 Patricia Gibson SNP
Economy Energy Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The Government's expected classification of farming as a non-high energy business in their review of the energy bill relief scheme has caused concern among farmers, potentially pushing up inflation for food producers and consumers. The MP seeks steps to mitigate these impacts.

Question

As well as concerns about fertiliser costs, the Government's expected classification of farming as a non-high energy business in their review of the energy bill relief scheme is another body blow for farmers. It will inevitably push up inflation for food producers and consumers, worsening the disproportionate cost of living impact on rural communities. What steps will the Secretary of State take to mitigate the impact on farmers and rural businesses right now to help tame global inflationary pressures on domestic markets?

Answer from Therese Coffey

We have seen support to industry through this Government, recognising the price of energy which was beyond the control of individual users. Wholesale prices have fallen to what they were before the illegal invasion by Russia of Ukraine. We are trying to stabilise the support we are giving, focusing particularly on recognised energy-intensive industries.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The MP's specific ask about immediate steps was partially addressed but no clear actions or timelines were provided.

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