Long-term declines in the natural environment and worsening climate change pose serious risks to UK food security, a Government report has warned.
The latest three-yearly report on food security has found the UK was 75% self-sufficient in the food that can be grown in this country in 2023, and produced the equivalent of 62% of overall food consumed.
But while the figures are broadly unchanged in the past two decades, the report also warned that long-term declines in “natural capital” – resources such as clean water, healthy soils and wildlife – is a pressing risk to UK food production.
It also said extreme weather continues to have a significant effect on domestic production, particularly arable crops, fruit and vegetables.
And rising temperatures are set to increase the likelihood of extreme weather events, and “represent significant overall risks to UK food security”, the report warned.
