This week the UK Government published a new assessment of the threats facing UK Food Security in its UK Food Security Report 2024. The report highlighted that the number of undernourished and hungry people around the world will only increase as climate change impacts increase. It also stated that “long-term decline in the UK’s natural capital is a pressing risk to UK food production and, climate change, nature loss and water insecurity pose significant risks to the ability of global food production to meet demand over the longer term.” I have pulled out some of the most notable statistics that jumped out at me:

👉 Climate change, nature loss, and water insecurity pose significant risks to the ability of global food production to meet demand over the longer term.
👉 Between 2015 and 2019, the amount of land globally which was reported as being degraded increased from 11.3% to 15.5%
👉 Extreme weather events continue to have a significant effect on domestic production, particularly arable crops, fruit and vegetables
👉 Long term decline in the UK’s natural capital is a pressing risk to UK food production. Both productivity and sustainability of food production rely on ecosystem services provided by biodiversity, healthy soil and clean water.
👉 85% of agricultural land in the UK was used for grazing animals or for producing animal feed in 2023
👉 Only 16% of all fruit consumed was produced in the UK.
👉 Rates of food insecurity vary greatly by demographics, with a notable difference in levels and experiences between income groups. Low-income and disabled groups continue to be at disproportionately high risk of household food insecurity and its potential negative impacts.

Also this week, Steve Reed, DEFRA Secretary of State confirmed that work is underway to produce a food strategy. I have been calling on such a strategy for years and therefore very much welcome this announcement. The devil, as ever will be, of course, in the detail. The government has said it will be ‘a coalition of food sector leaders, academics and leaders to corral our collective ambition, influence and effort‘. Lets hope that citizens, farmers and those groups with ‘lived experiences’ are also engaged in this process.

I hope that the government will start with the excellent national food strategy produced by Henry Dimbleby and his team last year. This report provided excellent analysis and overview of the problem and a set of recommendations for action, which should be the basis for any new strategy. I for one hope that the food strategy tackles the long term drivers of food insecurity with a focus on:
🚜 Promoting agroecological and regenerative production practices
🍎 Encouraging the consumption of healthy and sustainable diets (less but better meats more but better plants)
🍓 Promoting horticulture and ensures we grow a greater proportion of temperately grown fruit and veg in the UK
🧑‍🌾 Reconnecting citizens with food through localisation approaches
🦋 Reducing reliance on artificial fertilizers and pesticides