.svg)
More than 150 academics, business leaders and community organisations have warned that Britain is not sufficiently prepared to maintain food supplies during a major national crisis.
In an open letter addressed to the government, the experts called for food security to be treated as a national security issue, warning that climate change, geopolitical tensions, cyber-attacks, energy outages and other disruptions could put pressure on the UK’s food supply chain.
The signatories said Britain’s current “just-in-time” food distribution system leaves limited stock across the supply chain and argued that the country needs a more resilient approach to food production, storage and distribution.
The letter argues that the UK’s food system is exposed to a range of potential shocks, including extreme weather, geopolitical disruption, ransomware attacks, power failures, software problems and disinformation.
The experts also raised concerns about the country’s reliance on imports and the concentration of food production and distribution among a relatively small number of large businesses.
They called for greater national planning to ensure that essential food supplies can continue reaching households during emergencies.
Among their recommendations are the creation of local food resilience committees, an audit of the UK’s dependence on major food companies and imports, and changes to national food production so that it better reflects nutritional needs.
The group also wants food storage systems developed at national, regional, local and community levels, alongside greater decentralisation of the food supply.
The warning follows recent concerns about how prepared households and businesses are for major disruptions.
Government research has indicated that people in the UK may be less prepared for major emergencies than residents in some other European countries. The country also relies significantly on imported food, leaving parts of the supply chain potentially vulnerable to disruption overseas.
Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has previously advised households to keep enough food and water to manage for several days without power or running water.
The government is also preparing a public information campaign encouraging households to keep essential supplies, including foods such as tinned products that can be stored for longer periods.
However, the experts behind the new letter warned that household preparation alone cannot address wider weaknesses in the food system.
They also highlighted the financial challenge facing lower-income households, who may find it difficult to afford additional food and water supplies for emergency situations.
Prof Tim Lang of the Centre for Food Policy at City St George’s, University of London, said Britain needs a broader approach involving more domestic food production, regional supply networks, greater diversity and storage at different levels.
He argued that communities and households cannot resolve weaknesses in the national food system without stronger strategic leadership from central government.
Prof Paul Behrens of the Oxford Martin School at the University of Oxford also called for greater production of fruit, vegetables and pulses closer to where they are consumed.
The experts said improving food resilience could also support healthier diets and reduce some environmental pressures.
The Cabinet Office is expected to launch a campaign encouraging households to prepare for potential emergencies.
The government’s existing emergency-preparedness guidance recommends that people consider keeping supplies at home, including food that does not require cooking.
Ministers are also looking at longer-term measures to strengthen the country’s ability to deal with extreme weather and other disruptions. Eagle has said the government will oversee improvements in farming and a programme to increase reservoir capacity.
The latest warning has renewed discussion about whether Britain’s food system has enough capacity and flexibility to withstand a major disruption.
The experts argue that stronger food storage, more diverse supply chains and greater domestic production could form part of a wider national resilience strategy.
