Although Government admits that “food security is national security” the UK’s reliance on imports tells a different story. In 2023 the UK imported a phenomenal £61 Billion of food, feed and drink. With War in Europe and the danger of conflict in the Far East Britain needs to urgently increase national resilience and reduce overseas food dependency.

Baroness Hayman of Ullock, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL5):

Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government how much food was imported from overseas last year; and what action they are taking to reduce the level of imported food and increase food security. (HL5)

Tabled on: 17 July 2024

Answer:
Baroness Hayman of Ullock:

The value of imports of food, feed and drink was £61.1 billion in 2023.

• The value of imports of food, feed and drink was £61.1 billion in 2023.
• Food security is national security. We need a resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers, fishers and food producers.
• This Government will introduce a new deal for farmers to boost rural economic growth and strengthen Britain’s food security. We will: cut energy bills by switching on GB Energy; protect farmers from being undercut in trade deals; and use the Government’s own purchasing power to back British produce.
• We will publish the next UK Food Security Report later this year as required by the Agriculture Act 2020. The Report will examine past, current, and predicted trends to present the best available understanding of UK food security.

Date and time of answer: 31 Jul 2024 at 16:35.