UK's food supply chains are 'dangerously exposed', University of York study finds

Published in the journal Sustainability, the study argues that long-standing structural issues are leaving the UK dangerously exposed.

It outlines how a major international conflict could lead to surging energy prices, disrupted agricultural supply chains and escalating food costs.

Rising prices would disproportionately affect low-income households, restricting access to nutritious food and heightening food insecurity, the report said.

The academics say this could fuel social tensions and in the worst-case scenario, public trust in government and business could erode to the point of unrest or riots.

To reduce these risks, the researchers recommended key interventions, including increasing UK energy security, diversifying food value chains and promoting more varied and resilient diets.

Prof Sarah Bridle, chair of food, climate and society at the University of York, said: “The stability of the UK’s food system is a critical aspect of national security.

“While we can’t always prevent future shocks, we can build resilience to withstand them, and stop a bad situation from becoming a crisis.

“While there is a growing awareness of the potential risks, not enough coordinated work is being done to address the weak spots in the system, and how people are likely to be affected.

“Understanding how the system might react to extreme pressure is the first step to preventing worst-case scenarios unfolding in the future.”

The Cabinet Office oversees the UK’s response to emergencies, issuing an alert test to all mobile phones last September.

Just outside York, there is an Emergency Planning College, which is the government’s main centre for resilience expertise.