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<p>We remain in close contact with suppliers, who are clear that current issues relating
to the availability of certain fruits and vegetables are predominately caused by poor
weather in Spain and North Africa where they are produced. These issues have been
caused by unseasonal weather hampering production and harvest during December and
January.</p><p>We are not aware of any supply vulnerability relating to coffee</p><p><br>While
short term supplies of tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers might be tight, overall, the supply
chain is robust, and we are keeping the market under review through the UK Agriculture
Market Monitoring Group.</p><p>The capability, levers, and expertise to respond to
disruption lie with industry. Government's role is to support and enable an industry-led
response. UK Food Security remains resilient, and we continue to expect industry to
be able to mitigate supply problems through alternative sourcing options. <br> <br>The
Government has taken steps to support energy costs, cut tariffs to reduce feed costs,
improved avian influenza compensation schemes and taken a range of measures on fertilisers.</p><p>We
work with industry bodies across the horticulture sectors, to monitor and assess the
current market situation. We also work with colleagues in the Devolved Administrations
at the UK Agricultural Market Monitoring Group (UK AMMG).</p><p>I held an industry
roundtable with supermarkets on Monday 27 February to explore their plans for a return
to normal supplies and contingencies for dealing with these supply chain problems.</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.</p>
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