Climate change. Population pressures. This Brexit. Covid. And now the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

30% of the global supply of wheat, 19% of corn, 50% of sunflower oilseed, a significant proportion of fertiliser are being taken out of the world’s food trading system — and, here in the UK, we will be affected by the closing down of a major seasonal labour source to the UK.

We had warning, as this post from IFPRI pointed out on 24th February: How will Russia’s invasion of Ukraine affect global food security?

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A note regarding fertiliser shortages:

  • Farmers are entering a crucial stage in the season in which input factors (fertiliser, seeds, water) will determine the harvest yield later on.

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All of this in addition to the other frankly scary risks the food system is facing:

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Preparedness
It’s deeply concerning how little consideration is given to future food shortages and scarcities here in the UK.

For example, what does the National Food Strategy say about preparing for them? Nothing.  They didn’t mention Brexit, either, a major risk to UK food security; for more info, see our criteria-based assessment of  their ‘Plan’ here.

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The image at the top of this blogpost is of the monument on Freedom Hill in Kiev.

 

 

 

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The Birmingham Food Council is a Community Interest Company registered in England and Wales number 8931789