Action On Food Security Should Start At Home, UK

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Article Date: 22 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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The NFU has today welcomed the launch of Defra's consultation on UK food security on a changing world but expressed its disappointment at the continued emphasis on international factors.

Peter Kendall said, "The NFU has always maintained that food security cannot be uniquely tackled at the national level, but that should not preclude British farming from playing a crucial part in addressing this global issue. Therefore, I welcome the fact that the Secretary of State recognises that UK agriculture has a vital contribution to make to food security both in Britain and internationally but are disappointed at the lack of concrete proposals.

"It is, however, frustrating that this is not recognised in the potential supporting indicators proposed in the consultation document. This is, for me, a sign that DEFRA has yet to acknowledge that action on food security should start at home.

"At a time when both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor are highlighting the importance of food production, it seems incongruous to focus on other countries and not on what can and needs to be done at the domestic level."

The consultation process, which closes on September 15, seeks views on the how to ensure the UK's food security.

"The NFU will be making the case for a productive UK agricultural sector as a necessary condition for food security at the national and global level and for that to translate into concrete actions across all policy areas."

National Farmers' Union
http://www.nfuonline.com