The Government urgently needs to help farmers adapt to climate change according to a new report from the Food Foundation, Farming for 5-A-Day.
It warns that increasingly unpredictable seasons, warmer and drier weather, extreme rainfall and flooding are already affecting UK agriculture. The Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit estimates that farmers lost £1 billion during the extremely wet winter of 2023/24, while the Food Foundation says that climate change could also disrupt supplies from overseas, increasing the risk of shortages and higher prices for imported produce.
It’s calling for a future-proofed Horticulture Sector Growth Plan, including measures to boost domestic production, strengthen local supply chains and improve the resilience of the UK food system.
UK horticulture is in decline – with domestic vegetable production falling 13% between 2021 and 2023, according to the report. Plus, there’s also a significant mismatch between dietary recommendations and domestic production – fruit and veg should make up 41% of our diets, but currently represent just 7% of UK food production by volume.
The Food Foundation wants the Government to increase funding for growers, including through a replacement Fruit & Vegetable Aid Scheme, while adapting existing farm support schemes to better support smaller growers. It also recommends a new fund for market gardens, peri-urban farms and community-supported agriculture.
There’s strong support for boosting production in the UK. The organization cites research showing 86% of MPs agreed the UK should grow more fruit, veg and beans for food security. Meanwhile, 73% of the public supported a legally binding target to increase UK fruit and vegetable production.
By Jane Wolfe, contributor