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<p>The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, as demonstrated throughout the
Covid-19 response. It is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential
to cause disruption.</p><p> </p><p>Our high degree of food security is built on supply
from diverse sources; strong domestic production as well as imports through stable
trade routes. We produce 60% of all the food we need, and 73% of food which we can
grow or rear in the UK for all or part of the year, and these figures have changed
little over the last 20 years.</p><p> </p><p>UK consumers have access through international
trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round
basis. This supplements domestic production, and also ensures that any disruption
from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security
of supply.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has well established ways of working with the industry
and across Government to monitor risks that may arise. This includes extensive, regular
and ongoing engagement in preparedness for, and response to, issues with the potential
to cause disruption to food supply chains.</p><p> </p><p>Recognising the importance
of food security, in the Agriculture Act 2020, the Government made a commitment to
produce an assessment of our food security at least once every three years. The first
UK Food Security Report was published in December 2021. The next Food Security Report
will be published by the end of 2024.</p><p> </p><p>The Farm to Fork Summit also took
place on 16 May 2023. Discussions focused on bringing great British food to the world;
building resilience and transparency; strengthening sustainability and productivity
across the supply chain; and growing an innovative, skilled food and farming sector.
Engagement with the entire supply chain continues as we deliver the commitments from
the summit.</p>
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