Government must do more on farm and food security (Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats)

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Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats <info@brecon-radnor-libdems.org.uk>

Government must do more on farm and food security

April 2, 2009 3:11 PM

Roger Williams, MP for Brecon and Radnorshire and Liberal Democrat Food and Rural Affairs spokesperson, has called on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to do more to tackle food security.

Responses to a series of questions tabled by Roger Williams show that, in England, since 2006:

· Sheep flocks and Cattle herds have decreased by 8000

· 1000 fewer livestock farmers

· 300,000 fewer cattle

· 200,000 fewer pigs

· 100,000 fewer sheep

Mr Williams said:

"These figures raise serious concerns for the level of food security.

"The numbers of livestock and the numbers of farmers, who have such a key role in producing food for UK consumers, has dropped dramatically over recent years.

"This just goes to show how hard farmers are finding the current environment. Given the recent financial difficulties affecting all parts of the UK economy I expect that the numbers will have dropped even further when the figures for this year and next become available."

"DEFRA must do more to assist farmers in these times and ensure that these figures do not drop further."

In another question tabled by Roger Williams MP, DEFRA revealed that the UK was 60.3% self-sufficient in all food types and 72.9% self-sufficient in indigenous foods.

Mr Williams said:

"The fact that the UK is 60% self sufficient is not that surprising given the large number of products that either cannot be grown, or are not economical to grow, in the UK.

"However of the products that can be grown within the UK, we are still only 72% self-sufficient.

"This figure is not high enough. The Government could increase this figure drastically by only using UK produce when it procures food, both locally and nationally.

"Not only would this be a huge boost to the UK farming industry but it would also go someway towards helping meet climate change targets by reducing food miles."