Northumberland farmers call for homegrown food targets following new research
Farmers gathered in Morpeth to call for homegrown food targets as new research reveals Britain is producing less food than it did 30 years ago.
The UK’s self-sufficiency in 10 out of 11 everyday foods - such as wheat, vegetables, beef, poultry meat and eggs - has fallen in the last three decades, the Ready to Grow report reveals.
At the same time, food import volumes are up 70%, while export volumes have stalled.
To turn the tide and secure a future for British food production, the National Farmers Union (NFU) is calling on the Government to set ambitious targets for homegrown food.
On Wednesday, September 9, Northumberland farmers gathered outside Morpeth County Hall for a ‘Back British Farming Day’ event, aimed at celebrating local food, farming and the people who produce it.
Mac Young is a farmer from the Morpeth area and Northumberland NFU chair.
He said: "Back British Farming Day is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the food produced by farming families across Northumberland and thank the public for the continued support they show our industry.
"We are proud of the food we produce and the contribution farming makes to Northumberland's economy and environment.
"At a time of increasing global uncertainty, it is more important than ever that we value and support homegrown food production."
The Ready to Grow report underlines the need for action to ensure farmers can meet the public’s demand, as it shows that much of Britain’s food is being produced at a loss.
It shows that 65% of wheat and barley grown on cereal farms came from farm businesses operating at loss and, on lowland livestock farms, only 26% of some sheep products came from profitable farm groups.
This comes at a time when the worst drought in 50 years is set to cost wheat growers £370 million.
The NFU’s calls have been backed by the public - with new survey carried out by OnePoll revealing that 93% of British households agree that it’s important to maintain or increase UK food self-sufficiency.
NFU Northumberland adviser Charlotte Dring said: "The NFU's latest research paints a concerning picture of falling domestic food production and increasing reliance on imports at a time when the world is becoming more unstable.
"Farmers are ready to produce more of the food the nation needs, but they need the right policies in place."