Can Britain ever be food self-sufficient?

Britain would run out of food by this time next year if it crashed out of the EU without a deal and was unable to easily import goods from overseas.

That is the stark warning from the National Farmers’ Union, which has urged the government to put food security at the top of the political agenda as it negotiates Britain’s future relationship with the EU.

NFU research has shown 7 August 2019 would be the nominal day that Britain would run out of food if it were asked to be wholly self-sufficient based on seasonal growth.

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President of the NFU Minette Batters said the threat of a no deal, combined with the impact of “unprecedented dry and hot weather” had put self-sufficiency in the spotlight and follows alarming news that the government was putting in place contingency plans to stockpile food in the event a no deal Brexit disrupted supply lines.

Nevertheless, the figures highlight the UK’s reliance on foreign food exports and rubbishes claims British farmers could simply grow more food to make-up the shortfall.

In fact, “food security in Britain is in long-term decline” says The Guardian.

Figures from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) reveal the UK produces 60% of what it needs to feed itself, compared with 74% 30 years ago.

“Changing eating habits over the past three decades have helped fuel the increasing reliance on food grown overseas,” says the Guardian “but global economics have also contributed to imbalances in foods that can be produced in the UK”.

Striking a more positive note, Batters said Brexit does offer the opportunity to redress the imbalance in Britain’s food production sector.

“And as we replace the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, we must keep a sharp focus on what productive, progressive and profitable farm businesses need from a domestic agricultural policy”, she said.