The National Farmers Union (NFU) has warned that UK are “sleepwalking” into a food supply crisis and the government needs to step in to assist primary producers.
Farmers and growers are under severe strain with soaring feed costs, fertiliser and fuel as a result of the war in Ukraine.
Union president Minette Batters said that multiple farming sectors are being impacted and warned that egg shortages “could just be the start.”
Batters told the BBC, “Shoppers up and down the country have for decades had a guaranteed supply of high-quality affordable food produced to some of the highest animal welfare, environmental and food safety standards in the world.
“But British food is under threat… at a time when global volatility is threatening the stability of the world’s food production, food security and energy security.
“I fear the country is sleepwalking into further food supply crises, with the future of British fruit and vegetable supplies in trouble.”
However, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has said that the Britain has good food security which has been “built on supply from diverse sources” along with strong domestic production.
Food price inflation is expected to peak between 17% and 19% in the early months of 2023.
Leave a Comment