Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Food Security

Thursday 14 March 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Food security is a top priority for the UK Government, aiming to grow 60% of its food domestically.
  • The Department reviews the balance between food production and environmental protection, especially in light of weather challenges affecting cereal crop planting.
  • The sustainable farming incentive encourages soil quality improvement and pollinator protection, which are seen as beneficial for both the environment and crop production.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robert Goodwill Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The MP is concerned about the recent challenges facing UK agriculture, including low grain prices and weather-related issues affecting crop planting.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of UK food security? With grain prices on the floor, a third of the wheat crop either not being drilled or flooded out, and rape increasingly difficult to establish, does the Minister share my concerns about a potential crisis?

Answer from Mark Spencer

Food security is a top priority. The Government aims to grow 60% of our food domestically and will introduce an annual food security index. The Department reviews the balance between food production and environmental protection, especially regarding weather challenges affecting cereal crop planting.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on recent assessment and impact of current agricultural conditions on food security were not provided.

How: Under Review, Constantly Reviewing

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Q2 Robert Goodwill Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP raises concerns about the UK's agricultural policies potentially leading to perverse incentives, especially regarding land management and environmental stewardship.

Question

Does the Minister share my concerns that a perfect storm may be brewing in agriculture? With grain prices on the floor, a third of the wheat crop either not being drilled or flooded out, and rape increasingly difficult to establish, some long-term, multi-annual stewardship options are becoming more attractive. Does he share these concerns?

Answer from Mark Spencer

We review the balance between food production and environmental protection, including whether long-term stewardship options might lead to perverse incentives. Given weather challenges this season, we are assessing whether current policies support both farming needs and environmental goals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on reviewing multi-annual stewardship options were not provided.

How: Constantly Reviewing, Continuing To Review

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Q3 Andrew Bridgen Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of policies taking good agricultural land out of production on UK food security.

Question

Can the Minister explain how his Department's policy of taking good agricultural land out of food production is compatible with improving UK food security? I draw the House's attention to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial Interests.

Answer from Mark Spencer

The sustainable farming incentive encourages soil quality improvement and pollinator protection, which are beneficial for both the environment and crop production. The aim is to encourage farmers to look after the environment so they can continue producing high-quality food on productive land.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details on how policies align with food security were not provided.

How: Two Sides Of The Same Coin

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