UK rethinks its food strategy

The UK can no longer afford to take its food supply for granted. A new Chatham House report, 'Food Futures: Rethinking UK Strategy' , says that the UK food chain needs to be prepared to manage continued volatility in global food markets. It goes on to claim that looking ahead, food supply arrangements will be required to operate profitably around a significantly higher price norm, one that reflects the true cost of resources and incorporates wider social and ecological considerations.

Food Futures: Rethinking UK Strategy says the UK is not immune to what happens in the global food system. The recent spike in food commodity prices underlined our interdependency and demonstrated the political and social importance of affordable food.

Some of the effects of change are already being felt as access to scarce resources becomes a strategic concern for many countries. These pressures and the market responses they bring could provoke defensive trade and political reactions by governments, disrupting trade.

This report argues for action now to ensure future food supply needs can be met. The environmental impacts of modern agriculture and of the wider food chain can no longer be ignored. More food will have to be produced, but much more sustainably. Increased public investment in research on agriculture and food will be needed.

National and devolved governments must recognise their role as drivers of transformation. The UK government and European Union should be taking a lead — developing a vision for the future and the policies to catalyse that transition.

For the consumer, new uncertainties over the affordability of food, along with continuing environmental and health concerns, will mean changes in consumption patterns.

The paper is available for download.