The new government has been urged to help ensure self-sufficiency doesn't drop any further as new figures show levels for some food are at the lowest since records began.
The importance of increasing self-sufficiency levels has been highlighted today (14 August), the day which the national larder would run empty if the public only ate UK food from 1 January.
According to 2023 Defra figures, the UK is 62% self-sufficient in food. While this reflects similar levels of the past decade, some sectors have seen a recent decline. For example, the UK's self-sufficiency in fresh vegetables is at its lowest since records began in 1988 at 53%.
The NFU said the new Labour government must recognise the vulnerability of global food supply chains and the importance of a stable food supply in the UK. This year, farmers have experienced one of the wettest winters and springs on record, which has put pressure on food production.
Read more at farminguk.com