It shouldn’t take a war for Britain to wake up to the need for food security | Tim Lang

The British government has historically neglected food security until crises arise. Current global events, like the US-Israel war on Iran, are exposing the food system's dependence on oil. Oil fuels the entire process, including transportation, fertilizer production, and consumer access. This vulnerability was also evident during the Russia-Ukraine war and past oil price spikes. The recent meeting between government officials and major retailers reflects awareness of the problem, but a concrete plan is lacking. The fragility of the food system is linked to its reliance on fossil fuels. This dependency impacts food prices and availability. The author advocates for proactive measures to enhance food security. Ministers need to offer incentives to diminish reliance on imported foods. Everyone must cooperate to reduce the impact of these issues.