Yorkshire MP calls for action to secure UK’s food supply

Conservative MP Anne McIntosh called for more coherent planning after hearing “at least three” Government departments are responsible for food security.

Miss McIntosh, chairman of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee launched the Committee’s report on food production and security.

She said: “Complacency is a genuine risk to future UK food security. If we want our food production and supply systems to be secure, Government and food producers must plan to meet the impacts of climate change, population growth and increasing global demand for food.”

The report backs “sustainable intensification” - producing more food with fewer resources and called on the Government to stem the decline in UK self-sufficiency.

It notes that for key cereal crops yield levels have not increased for over 15 years.

The biggest long-term challenge to food production systems is the impact of extreme weather events resulting from climate change, the report warns.

The report calls for:

* Supermarkets to shorten supply chains to reduce threats of disruption.

* Government to reduce dependence on imported soybean for animal feed, as increased demand for protein from emerging economies threatens current supply lines.

It calls for more research to curb emissions from livestock linked to climate change and “more resilient production systems” so farmers can cope with severe weather.

The report says the Government must lead a public debate to counter food safety fears about genetically modified (GM) foods.

The report includes evidence from Leeds University Professor Tim Benton who said the UK needed more diversity in food production in case of market failure.

Prof Benton warned of a possible future scenario of wars over access to land and water due to rising populations and food production difficulties.

A Defra spokesman said: “This report recognises that the UK maintains a high level of food security. We invest £450 million each year to uphold it.”

The spokesman rejected claims of complacency, saying the Government was committed to delivering recommendations in the 2011 Foresight report into future food production.

“We are confident our efforts in this area will help us meet future demand for food.”