The Government is looking at options to strengthen food security reporting, including the possibility of enhanced annual reporting.<\/p>
<\/p>
The Government\u2019s UK Food Security Report (UKFSR) sets out an analysis of statistics relating to food security. The next edition of the UKFSR will be published later this year, as required by the 2020 Agriculture Act.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4395", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Hayman of Ullock"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Baroness Hayman of Ullock"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-24T11:49:47.65Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2024-09-12", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Food Supply"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to continue to publish an annual food security index.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4984", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Mott"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Mott"} ], "uin" : "HL1062"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725706", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725706/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The UK, the UN and other states use the findings of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report extensively. The persisting high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition are concerning. We are committed to addressing these, working alongside partners to provide immediate humanitarian support, tackle the causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, and leverage UK-funded science and technology expertise for more climate-resilient food systems. At the G20 Development Ministers Meeting in July, I announced the UK would join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty to lift ambition, ensure better international coordination, and unlock much-needed finance.<\/ins><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4657", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anneliese Dodds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oxford East"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Anneliese Dodds"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-09", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "true", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "previousAnswerVersion" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1725706/answer/previousversion/4563", "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4657", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anneliese Dodds"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Oxford East"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Anneliese Dodds"}
}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-09T14:43:05.757Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
], "questionFirstMinisteriallyCorrected" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-09T16:08:24.717Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "208"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-08-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Food Supply"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the report entitled The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2024 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, published in August 2024, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the estimate that 582 million people will be chronically food insecure in 2030.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4403", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Chris Law"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Dundee Central"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Law"}
], "uin" : "2941"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1724272", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1724272/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Defra will publish the next UK Food Security Report later this year as required, and in accordance with, the Agriculture Act 2020. The Report will examine past, current, and predicted trends to present the best available understanding of UK food security.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4382", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Daniel Zeichner"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cambridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Daniel Zeichner"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-09-02", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-09-02T09:48:00.753Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-30", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Food Supply"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when he plans to publish the updated UK Food Security Report.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/350", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir John Hayes"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "South Holland and The Deepings"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Sir John Hayes"}
], "uin" : "2226"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723269", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1723269/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Food security is national security. A resilient and healthy food system, that works with nature and supports British farmers is a key element of our national food security.<\/p> <\/p> That is why this Government will introduce a new deal for farmers to boost rural economic growth and strengthen Britain's food security. We will: cut energy bills by switching on GB Energy; protect farmers from being undercut in trade deals; and use the Government\u2019s own purchasing power to back British produce.<\/p> <\/p> Food security is not a binary issue but consists of complex and dynamic interactions. The Government will publish the triennial UK Food Security Report this year which will measure trends across the five categories of food security.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4382", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Daniel Zeichner"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cambridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Daniel Zeichner"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-29", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-29T16:25:47.4Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-24", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Food Supply"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will introduce a legally binding food security target.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4095", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Barclay"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Cambridgeshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Steve Barclay"}
], "uin" : "1489"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722121", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1722121/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain, which has coped well in responding to unprecedented challenges. Defra maintains a collaborative relationship with industry which allows us to effectively respond to disruption. This includes a Food Resilience Industry Forum, which can be stood-up at short notice should the need arise.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4382", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Daniel Zeichner"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Cambridge"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Daniel Zeichner"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2024-07-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2024-07-25T14:03:06.337Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "13"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2024-07-18", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Food Supply"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what his Department's policy is on the future of the UK Food Resilience Forum.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4778", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Greg Smith"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Buckinghamshire"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Greg Smith"}
], "uin" : "685"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1721236", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/1721236/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The value of imports of food, feed and drink was £61.1 billion in 2023.<\/p> <\/p> <\/p> The UK has a highly resilient food supply chain and is well equipped to deal with situations with the potential to cause disruption.<\/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> 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> 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> 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 produced in 2021 and the next will be published by December 2024. This report serves as an evidence base for policy work.<\/p> <\/p> Starting this year, the government is also strengthening our food security monitoring by introducing the annual Food Security Index in addition to the three-yearly UKFSR.<\/p> <\/p> Published to coincide with the second UK Farm to Fork Summit on 14 May 2024, the 2024 Food Security Index sets out how Government will track UK-wide food security on an annual basis, monitoring domestic food production, land use, input costs, and farmer productivity.<\/p> <\/p> The Index looks at shorter-term trends that change year on year, complementing the UKFSR\u2019s comprehensive assessment and attention to longer-term trends. The 2024 Index shows that the UK farming sector is at its most productive since records began.<\/p> <\/p> A further package of measures to support farmers and grow the UK\u2019s farming and food sector was announced by the government at the Farm to Fork Summit on 14th May 2024.<\/p> <\/p>The UK, the UN, other states, and NGOs use the findings of the annual "The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World" report extensively. The persisting high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition outlined in the report are concerning. We remain steadfast in our commitment to address these, working alongside partners to provide immediate humanitarian support, tackle the causes of food insecurity and malnutrition, and leverage UK-funded science and technology expertise for more climate-resilient food systems. We support global initiatives, like the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty and the Child Nutrition Fund, in order to lift ambition, ensure better international coordination, and unlock much-needed finance.<\/del><\/p>