With persistent rain in the UK leaving fields under water, forecasting low yields and low-quality crops, Professor Sophia Davidova an expert in European agricultural policy at Kent’s School of Economics, comments on the concerning signs:
‘The bell is ringing about food shortages and undermined food security, with record rainfall recorded over the past 18 months. Along with low quality crops, other crops could not be planted on time. While there is a lot of truth in this, there is also unnecessary panic. Food security has several aspects with the most important being availability and accessibility. Despite the agitation that might be felt seeing empty shelves in supermarkets, the fact is that the modem food chains are global and depend strongly on trade across borders. However, unfavourable weather in some main UK trade partners could amplify the shock. What we could observe in this situation is an increase in food imports and most probably increased food prices. Thus, food affordability in particular for low-income households will further deteriorate from the current unhappy situation with more reliance on food banks and more children going hungry to school. Therefore, the struggle ahead is not only for the farming community – but for the nation as a whole.
‘It is strange that in the current debate there is no mention of environmental sustainability in the agri-food chain. Sustainability is a powerful tool to maintain the net benefits agriculture provides to society for present and future generations. After carrying out research into UK citizens’ views on agri-food sustainability, my research team found that it wasn’t seen as a priority. UK respondents valued economic sustainability the most, then in second place social sustainability and environmental sustainability came third. This is a warning signal. The fact that the general public does not value environmental sustainability very highly may decrease the public pressure on Government to remain on track with their green agenda, which may damage further the meagre farm incomes and the welfare of consumers.’
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