West Country farmers are urging the government for more support as they warn of a growing risk of a “food crisis” in Britain. A consortium of producers from the region, along with the NFU, is calling for domestic production to be “ramped up” and for the country to reduce its reliance on imports.
It comes as a new report is published by the Great South West – an economic partnership spanning Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset – with proposals for boosting the UK’s food security.
Karl Tucker, chair of Yeo Valley Farms and the Great South West Partnership, said: “We need action. It is clear we have to ramp up domestic food production in a sustainable way – not years down the line, but now.
“Our dependence on imports is a risk. We need to tackle it through targeted investment in sustainable farming and innovation. It’s the only way to reduce our huge vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions, climate change, and a very uncertain geopolitical reality.”
Michael Caines, the Michelin-starred chef and patron of Lympstone Manor hotel in Devon, has backed the calls for action.
“With the right support, we can lead the way in creating a resilient, sustainable food system that benefits not just our region, but the whole country,” he said. “This region’s unique natural resources and rich agricultural history provides an incredible opportunity to boost domestic food production and support our farmers and food producers.”
The NFU warned earlier this year over the UK’s reliance on importing food – and said it must become more self-sufficient. Melanie Squires, regional director for NFU South, said the Great South West will play a “key role” in the UK’s food security over the next decade.
“Food security and national economic security are acutely aligned and speak to the vision set out in the recently released Industrial Strategy Green Paper,” she said. The Great South West has the capability and readiness to work with government to generate high economic growth outcomes.”