Food Security

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The hon. Member's point about the urgent need for action regarding hunger, exacerbated by current global issues, was deeply concerning.

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.

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.

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.

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.