MPs launch inquiry into food security

The Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has launched an inquiry into food security due to increased pressures on food producers and rising food prices.

The inquiry will also examine the government’s food strategy, announced in a policy paper this June, and the UK’s level of food self-sufficiency.

Factors affecting the availability of food, such as Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine, will be closely considered.

The Institute of Grocery Distribution predicted that food inflation will reach 15% in the coming months, with the Bank of England also warning that supply disruptions could continue into 2023.

The Committee will study the impact of food inflation on consumers’ access to healthy food, as well as considering how the government’s food strategy paper might impact resilience in the food supply chain, access to good quality food, and support food producers, fishers and farmers.

It will also consider how food production performs in comparison to other sectors in the government’s upcoming land use strategy.

Sir Robert Goodwill, chair of the EFRA Committee, said: “Our food producers are facing extremely challenging times – with rising energy and fertiliser prices as well as the war in Ukraine. These pressures are now also being felt by consumers.

“The government is not responsible for all the problems facing food supply chains but it is essential it does all it can to help manage these pressures as it implements its new food strategy.

“About three-quarters of the types of food we can produce in this country are supplied by our own farmers, producers and growers. We want to start a debate about whether that’s the right level and what that means for how we use our land and the priority we put on food production”.

Everyone is invited to submit evidence to the inquiry and can do so in writing submit their views in writing here.

The closing date for submissions is Friday 30 September.