Public urges government to back NFU call for self-sufficiency

The British public has overwhelmingly backed an NFU call to government to maintain food self-sufficiency levels to at least 60%, the findings of a new NFU survey released for Back British Farming Day reveal.

The eighth annual Back British Farming Day today (Wednesday 13 September) celebrates the vital work by farmers to support climate friendly food production.

To mark the celebrations, the NFU will be hosting a breakfast reception at the House of Commons where MPs will learn about the important role farmers play feeding the nation and caring for the environment.

See also: NFU warns of over-reliance on food imports

More than 100 MPs are expected to attend, where they will be given a wool-and-wheatsheaf pin badge, an emblem of the day, to wear during prime minister’s questions to show their support.

MPs will also hear that a recent NFU survey found 87% of those polled support increasing self-sufficiency in UK food production.

The NFU has called on the government to legislate to ensure UK food self-sufficiency, which currently stands at 60% (down from 78% in 1984), does not drop below this level. But so far, the government has refused to act.

Ninety per cent of those polled believe farming is important to the UK economy, while 81% agreed that British farms should grow as much food as possible to provide national food security, amid growing threats to global food security triggered by conflicts and climate change.

NFU president Minette Batters said the findings of the OnePoll online survey of 2,000 adults in England and Wales in early June sent a clear message that there is public backing for its calls for government to legislate to ensure the UK’s level of self-sufficiency does not drop any further.

Empty shelves

“We’ve had everything thrown at us over the past 18 months – soaring production costs, global market instability caused by the ongoing war in Ukraine, extreme bouts of weather and significant delays to farm payments,” said Mrs Batters.

“The empty shelves we’ve seen this year speak for themselves; we need to be producing more of our food here.

“Now is the time to ensure those policies are in place to support the production of quality, climate friendly, homegrown food. As we’ve said before, government has statutory targets for the environment – why can’t food production have the same status?”

Out of 10 occupations, farmers ranked second in favourability with 47% of respondents – up from fourth in 2022. Nursing ranked number 1 with 65% of respondents.

Join the Back British Farming Day celebration by using the #BackBritishFarmingDay hashtag on social media.