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Food Security
31 March 2022
Lead MP
Deidre Brock
Edinburgh North and Leith
SNP
Responding Minister
Victoria Prentis
Tags
UkraineClimateBenefits & WelfareAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Word Count: 14505
Other Contributors: 12
At a Glance
Deidre Brock raised concerns about food security in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The hon. Member requests that the Government take immediate action to address the crisis by securing fertiliser supplies for farmers through subsidies, overhauling immigration policy to attract necessary workers, and aligning benefits with inflation to alleviate food poverty. She also urges cross-departmental collaboration within the UK Government and seeks commitments similar to those made in Scotland.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The hon. Member for Glasgow North West is concerned about the global food crisis caused by Russia's war in Ukraine, which has led to a significant humanitarian emergency and potential famine in parts of Africa and the Middle East. The UN World Food Programme estimates that at least 30% of the Ukrainian population needs lifesaving food assistance, with 90% potentially facing extreme poverty. Additionally, she highlights issues such as rising food prices due to increased costs for fertiliser, fuel, seed, and feed, compounded by labour shortages and reduced yields. Furthermore, pre-existing food insecurity in the UK has worsened during the pandemic, affecting nearly 6 million adults and 2.5 million children.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Mr Carmichael raised concerns about rising import costs leading to reduced productivity in the UK's agriculture industry and stressed the need for stronger measures, including more effective regulation of supermarkets' influence on farm-gate prices.
Alyn Smith
SNP
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Mr Alyn Smith highlighted the fragility of food supplies due to international disruptions, noting that UK's food self-sufficiency has decreased from 80% to below 60%. He urged the government to prioritise food security and recommended retaining pillar 1 payments for farmers. The SNP wants to return to the EU single market and common agricultural policy, aiming for an urgent support fund like the €1.5 billion announced by the EU.
Anthony Mangnall
Con
Tamworth
Mr Mangnall emphasised the importance of food security, noting global shocks like the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. He highlighted the need for domestic production, fewer faceless suppliers, and better promotion of British food quality. He proposed introducing discussions about food and farming in schools to educate young people on sustainable practices. Mr Mangnall also discussed the issue of seasonal variety and suggested a target of 75% or 80% food security self-sufficiency for the UK. Concerning the environmental land management scheme, he expressed worry that it does not support food production adequately.
Daniel Zeichner
Lab
Cambridge
Mr Zeichner expressed concern about the lack of attention given to food security by the Government. He highlighted that over 17% of people receiving universal credit visited a food bank between December 2021 and March 2022, representing half a million individuals. Additionally, he pointed out delays in the Government's response to the national food strategy despite growing concerns about global food markets.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
The hon. Member highlighted the importance of food security and supported trade deals, advocating for British agriculture to become profitable and sustainable without relying solely on subsidies. He expressed concern over agricultural land protection and urged the government to ensure that large solar farms do not take away valuable farmland by proposing alternative locations such as rooftops and brownfield sites. Mr Greg Smith intervened to clarify that he supports current agricultural subsidy but believes in a future where all agriculture is profitable.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He highlighted the urgency for Ukrainian farmers to complete their harvest within a tight timeframe, emphasising potential issues arising from this situation. Jim Shannon emphasized the importance of food security in his constituency, Strangford. He highlighted that the region is a significant producer and exporter of food products, with companies like Lakeland Dairies and Willowbrook Foods contributing significantly to employment. He also shared personal anecdotes about teachers noticing children struggling with hunger due to financial pressures, noting that some are turning to cheaper, less nutritious options for sustenance. Shannon criticized the Northern Ireland protocol for increasing costs and reducing access to affordable food, mentioning a 50% price increase in fish and chip shops as an example of economic pressure on businesses.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
Ms McCarthy criticised the intention to remove agricultural subsidies and highlighted that about 60% of farmers' incomes depend on subsidies. She discussed a Cambridge University study showing 99.5% of pheasants killed contained lead shot, suggesting a ban on lead shot. Concerned about food sovereignty, she noted Britain's current self-sufficiency at around 77%, urging annual reports to Parliament under the Agriculture Act 2020 for quicker responses.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
Midlothian
The hon. Member's point about the urgent need for action regarding hunger, exacerbated by current global issues, was deeply concerning.
Luke Pollard
Lab Co-op
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
Luke Pollard emphasised the importance of food security, highlighting rising food prices and increased food poverty. He noted that there are more food banks than McDonald's branches in the UK, indicating a crisis where people cannot afford basic necessities. Pollard also called for greater recognition of food security as a national security issue and advocated for growing more domestic produce to support local farmers and reduce carbon emissions. He raised concern over Seafish's decision to discontinue its 'Love Seafood' campaign, which promotes British fish. He questioned whether this move was counterproductive.
David Tredinnick
Con
Boscobel
The hon. Member for Boscobel raises concerns about food security, particularly the impact of rising prices and shortages caused by the war in Ukraine, urging the Government to take swift action.
Neil Parish
Con
Tiverton and Honiton
Mr Parish highlighted the severe impact of Russia's invasion on Ukrainian agriculture, including fuel shortages, damaged infrastructure, and potential disruptions to spring planting. He emphasised Ukraine's role in global food supply, noting its production of 20% of the world's maize and 12% of wheat exports, affecting millions across north Africa and the Middle East. Asks if the Government is examining domestic food production levels, noting that increased local production could benefit global food security. Questions why fertiliser plants have not been opened as requested by the Opposition.
Patricia Gibson
SNP
North Ayrshire and Arran
She highlighted the fragility of UK food security, citing imports accounting for 48% of total food consumption. She pointed to rising prices of maize and wheat due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, suggesting a potential 15% increase in UK food prices. Gibson also mentioned surging fertiliser costs affecting farmers' production capacity and urged the government to establish an equivalent emergency fund to support them.
Government Response
Victoria Prentis
Government Response
Acknowledged the impact of the war in Ukraine on global food security, noting that £220 million of humanitarian aid has been sent. Highlighted efforts to support farmers, including meetings with supermarket executives and providing additional funding for household essentials (£500 million from April, bringing total funding to £1 billion). Discussed plans to phase out area-based payments and incentivise efficient farming through new schemes focusing on nature recovery and carbon capture. Emphasized the importance of addressing food poverty and waste reduction.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.