British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak addressed the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) conference, acknowledging the critical importance of food security in national interests. Sunak’s speech comes amidst growing criticism from farmers who feel that agriculture has been overlooked in favor of other sectors like energy and the environment.
He highlighted the impact of global events, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which led to a surge in food and energy prices, underscoring the need for a strategic focus on food security.
In response to farmer concerns, Sunak announced a series of measures aimed at addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector. These include increased funding for farming schemes and the introduction of an annual publication of a food security index.
This marks a significant shift in policy priorities, signaling the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and ensuring the resilience of the food supply chain.
NFU President Minette Batters echoed the sentiment, calling on all political parties to prioritize food security on par with the environment and energy. Batters emphasized the need for policy adjustments to address the imbalance between environmental concerns and food production.
She highlighted the mounting pressure faced by farming families due to unsustainably high production costs and crop losses caused by extreme weather events.
