Government urged to support UK growers amid brassica shortage
© UK Agri-Tech Centre Potential shortages of cauliflower and broccoli this spring have left the Labour government facing calls to provide more support to UK growers.
During a debate in the House of Lords on 24 January, the Lord Bishop of St Albans, Alan Smith, called on the government to outline what it was doing to ensure the UK remains proactive in its approach to farming, climate change and food security.
See also: OBR casts doubt on government’s farm IHT figures
He said: “Heavy rainfall this past autumn and winter has damaged crops, particularly cauliflower and broccoli, while the mild winter has resulted in some crops arriving earlier than expected.
“Much of our broccoli would normally be imported from Spain, but the crops there have been devastated by heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in Valencia and the areas around it, so it is difficult to supplement our supplies with imports from Europe.”
Reliance on imports
Defra’s own Food Security Report, published on 14 January, states that extreme weather events continue to have a significant effect on domestic production and that the UK remains highly dependent on imports for fruit and vegetables.
The UK exported £378m worth of fruit and vegetables in the 12 months to November 2024 and imported more than £5bn worth.
Baroness Shephard mentioned in the debate how other crops as well as livestock had been affected, adding that “domestic food security will be increasingly threatened by these severe weather events”.
She said measures could be taken on farm to help mitigate this, such as sustainable soil management and drainage, but these would require government support and investment.
Fellow Conservative peer Baroness McIntosh added: “We must take measures to boost production of fruit and vegetables at home and opportunities to export.
“Some 62% of the food that we need is produced at home, but only 53% of fresh vegetables and, woefully, 16% of fruit.
“I hope the minister takes heed of and looks at this.”
Tax burden
Bishop Smith warned that climate change posed a threat to farming sustainability, profitability and food security.
However, several members countered, highlighting issues such as inheritance tax (IHT), lack of investment, and limited seasonal labour as greater challenges for growers.
Lord Fuller raised concerns about slug damage to broccoli and cauliflower, blaming slow regulatory approval for new, safer slug control products. He also pointed to a shortage of skilled workers for harvesting crops.
The Earl of Effingham, an elected Conservative peer, criticised government policies, including the IHT changes and increased employer National Insurance contributions, saying these would harm food security and the supply chain, especially when combined with extreme weather events.
Government response
In response, Labour peer Lord Leong insisted that Defra was working to mitigate the impact of extreme weather on food production and supply.
He emphasised the resilience of the UK’s food supply chain, built on diverse domestic production and stable trade routes, ensuring food security despite challenges such as weather or disease.
However, Lord Leong did not address concerns regarding the impact of IHT on growers.