The APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) on Food Security, which is supported by the NFU, hosted a significant breakfast event at the Houses of Parliament.
Titled ‘Food Fuels Growth – Meet the Producers’, the gathering united more than 40 parliamentarians, industry leaders, and food producers to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing UK food production.
The event welcomed prominent attendees, including Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner, Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Atkins and Shadow Farming Minister Robbie Moore.
Producers who sit on the NFU Poultry Board and Poultry Industry Programme as well as representatives of the British Egg Industry Council, British Poultry Council and National Pig Association were in attendance and spoke to parliamentarians directly about how the government can work with industry to strengthen UK food security.
Reinstating importance of food production
Minister for Food Security Daniel Zeichner delivered a keynote address highlighting the government’s commitment to food security and the vital role of UK food producers in feeding the nation.
Mr Zeichner reaffirmed the government’s focus on food production as a central purpose of farming, emphasising the need to reinstate its importance in the national agenda.
He also noted the government’s efforts to unlock the Chinese market for UK food exports, which will benefit producers and boost economic growth.
“The NFU will continue to hold all MPs and government to account over these important issues.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
The Minister called for greater support for diversification and planning reforms to aid farming businesses. These measures, he explained, would not only enhance growth but also promote higher standards of animal welfare.
Photograph: Minister for Food Security Daniel Zeichner
Mr Zeichner acknowledged the level of upset felt by farmers about inheritance tax but also wanted to focus on the other significant challenges facing the sector, particularly around biosecurity concerns such as Avian Influenza and referenced that he is hosting a bluetongue roundtable later in the day which NFU President Tom Bradshaw is attending.
He also commended the dedication of UK farmers, saying their work is critical to the nation’s security and prosperity.
A platform for dialogue
The event began with breakfast and networking, providing an opportunity for parliamentarians and producers to engage directly.
Luke Charters MP opened the event, reflecting on his recent visit to a farm in his constituency. During the visit, he enjoyed a bacon butty made entirely from locally sourced ingredients, from the bacon to the buttered bap.
“It was the best bacon sarnie I’ve ever had,” he declared, praising the hard work of farmers who ensure the nation is well-fed.
Mr Charters highlighted the dual economic and cultural significance of farming. “Farming not only adds to the national economy, but keeps local economies thriving,” he said.
He also acknowledged the crucial role of farming in job creation, supporting the government’s mission to achieve economic growth. He concluded by stressing the importance of resilience in farming, advocating for adequate funding for the APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency) and recognising the impact of climate change on business stability.
Holding MPs and government to account
Speaking after the event, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The event in Parliament today provided us with the perfect platform to engage with MPs from all parties to discuss the challenges of producing the nation’s food and the importance of UK food security.
“We were able to highlight some of the vital issues impacting our members such as economic pressures including volatile input costs, the availability of a skilled workforce, climate change and increasing extreme weather and flooding, and the devastating changes to inheritance tax – all of which have contributed to confidence within our sector hitting rock-bottom.
“Following the recent Food and Mouth outbreak in Germany alongside existing concerns about African Swine Fever and Avian Influenza, we were also able to discuss key topics such as core standards within trade agreements, biosecurity and border controls as well as resources at the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
“The NFU will continue to hold all MPs and government to account over these important issues, and we will strive to ensure we are doing everything we can to help deliver a thriving and profitable farming industry.”
Key themes and challenges
Discussions during the event centred on six critical challenges to UK food security:
- Impact of changes to IHT (Inheritance Tax): The government’s proposals will lead to the sale and break up of businesses and farms to finance IHT payments.
- Climate resilience: Increasing extreme weather events necessitate investment in sustainable technologies and farming practices.
- Economic pressures: Rising costs and inflation threaten the long-term viability of food production and affordability.
- Workforce shortages: A lack of skilled labour continues to hinder growth across the sector.
- Trade standards: Defending standards in trade agreements is vital to ensuring competitiveness and sustainability for UK producers.
- Biosecurity: Recent outbreaks, including Foot and Mouth Disease in Germany and the ongoing threat of African Swine Fever, have underscored the importance of stringent border controls and biosecurity measures.
Industry insights and APPG recommendations
The APPG on Food Security put forward several key recommendations to the government:
- Establish a statutory food security index and monitor domestic food production levels annually.
- Publish an annual policy-focused food security report assessing the sector’s short, medium, and long-term viability.
- Conduct a comprehensive review of border security measures to safeguard against the illegal importation of high-risk products.
- Provide multi-year funding for enforcement agencies, including the Dover Port Health Authority and the Animal and Plant Health Agency, to ensure preparedness.
- Convene an annual food summit at No.10 to keep food security high on the political agenda.
