- ECIU analyzed data from AHDB regarding shared experiences of extreme weather events in England and Wales.
- Drought is affecting food production in England and Wales, leading to NFU warnings of shortages and political demands for government action.
NFU calls for ambitious food targets amid production decline and drought
What happened
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has called on the government to establish ambitious targets for homegrown food production. The NFU warned that Britain is now producing less food than it did three decades ago, noting that self-sufficiency has declined in 10 out of 11 everyday foods over the last 30 years. This warning comes as McCain Foods reported that 42 per cent of farmers considered leaving the industry due to financial pressures.
From gazetteherald.co.uk
Why it matters
The NFU cited devastating drought, disease outbreaks, and soaring costs as major challenges facing farmers. The union stated that rising agricultural import volumes have increased by 70 per cent, while policy uncertainty and chronic underinvestment are eroding Britain’s ability to produce its own food.
Drought is currently affecting food production in England and Wales, leading to warnings from the NFU about potential shortages and demands for government action.
From gazetteherald.co.uk
Who's involved
- NFUThe National Farmers’ Union, which is lobbying the government regarding food security.
- governmentThe governing body that the NFU is urging to set food production targets.
- Tom BradshawPresident of the National Farmers’ Union.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- HM TreasurySpeculative
HM Treasury could face increased pressure from NFU lobbying regarding agricultural funding and policy support.
Keep exploring
Part of
Drought is affecting food production in England and Wales, leading to NFU warnings of shortages and political demands for government action.Also in this story
- The NFU is lobbying Members of Parliament regarding agricultural policy issues in England due to ongoing drought losses affecting farming businesses.
- Agricultural challenges require organized representation. The Environment Agency is providing support for water management in England.
- Food industry bodies in England and Wales are facing rising production and manufacturing costs due to drought and global conflicts.
- Shared drought conditions impacting forage crops in England and Wales.
The entities involved
- NFU
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government
system or group of people governing an organized community, often a state
Related events
- An MP and the Public Accounts Committee examined the government's agricultural policy challenges and food resilience strategy.
- The NFU is advocating for food targets to secure the future of Cambridgeshire, with Alison Morris leading the charge as the NFU Cambridgeshire chair.
- NFU President Tom Bradshaw called on the government for crisis loans, while the NFU urged ministers to support food production.
- Aldi is supporting British agriculture through procurement, while the NFU calls for ambitious targets for homegrown food.
- The government is focused on food security by investigating food and drinks supply chain issues, managing an Agri-food Project Finance Fund, and implementing a food security strategy to reduce import reliance.