Lack of investment means UK reliant on food imported from climate vulnerable countries
A new report from The Food Foundation entitled, Farming for 5-a-day: how resilient is the UK’s supply of fruit, veg and beans in a changing climate? has found that:-
- Whilst the UK has experienced wildfires and drought over the summer, it is still less exposed to climate change than many of its global suppliers of healthy staple foods
- Of the top 20 countries the UK imports fruit and vegetables from most, 18 (90%) are moderately to severely vulnerable to climate change (1)
- Of the UK’s nine most purchased fruits five can be grown in the UK (apples, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, pears) — but we remain under 40% self-sufficient for four of those and could be growing more at home (2). Imports are needed for the whole supply of some fruit, such as citrus fruits and bananas
- We could grow more of our top vegetables in the UK (e.g. tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, cucumbers, onions, broccoli, and green beans) but only carrots reach high self-sufficiency (94%); the rest are all below 50% (3)
- There is currently a mismatch between UK domestic food production and dietary goals
- The Food Foundation is calling on government to support farmers to grow more fruit and vegetables domestically and increase consumption, whilst also enabling climate adaptation, building resilience on farms and strengthening local food systems and supply chains
Although predominantly self-sufficient in its production of grains, meat, milk and eggs, the UK imports 40% of all its food, 80% of its fruit and 47% of its vegetables, particularly from countries that are vulnerable to climate change. The UK has one of the lowest food self-sufficiency ratios among large Western European countries and a significantly higher import dependence than France, Germany or Spain. In fact, it has one of the highest reliance rates on imported fruit in Europe.
This is a serious issue as the IPCC forecast that if no action is taken to improve resilience higher temperatures will lead to yield losses, heat stress, and quality drops in global fruits, vegetables, and annual crops. Declines in fruit and veg yields and crop suitability are especially projected in tropical and semi-tropical regions, with the Mediterranean, North Africa, South and Central America key global regions with high vulnerability.
With fewer than one in three adults and less than one in ten 11-18 year olds currently eating their 5 a day, it is important that government takes action to make these healthy products more accessible, instead of waiting until the UK is faced with shortages. The report states that government should aim to boost consumption of fruit and veg in the UK at the same time as increasing domestic production. Currently government recommends 41% of our diet should be fruit and veg, and yet they make up only 7% of the food groups we produce domestically).
As well as improving access to healthy produce, the UK has a major economic opportunity to expand the horticulture sector, which could add billions to the economy, create over 20,000 jobs, and add 3% to farm profits across the country, bringing benefits to farmer livelihoods, local economies and public health.
Ali Capper, executive chairman, British Apples and Pears Ltd, said, “This report shines a light on how to deliver the government statement, “Food Security is our National Security”. We have an excellent growing climate in the UK and can create much greater food security by growing more fruit and vegetables here. We know from the growers we represent that they are ambitious to grow their British businesses. To do so they need the certainty that good government policy can deliver – certainty on continued and increased access to the Seasonal Workers Scheme; water for food; an agile planning regulation; competitively priced energy. Growers also need market certainty – long term agreements and profitable returns. Our society deserves to be able to buy a homegrown 5 a day. The Horticulture Sector Growth Plan is the ideal initiative to make this happen.”
Professor Paul Behrens, British Academy Global Professor, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford said, “I spent a decade living in the Netherlands, a country with nearly twice the UK’s population density and the same maritime climate. It is the world’s second-largest agricultural exporter by value. Dutch growers have put around 1,770 hectares under glass for tomatoes alone while the UK’s entire protected vegetable area comes to 866 hectares. The Dutch growers became a powerhouse from four decades of consistent, innovation-led policy. This report describes what Britain has lost by never making that choice and, perhaps more importantly, the urgent choices ahead and large opportunities we have by taking action on horticulture.”