UK Parliament / Open data

UK Food Security

Proceeding contribution from Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 19 March 2024. It occurred during Backbench debate on UK Food Security.

The hon. Gentleman is quite right. I will come on to that later in my speech.

We must ensure sustainability in our food production, which encompasses the nutritional quality of food, its accessibility and the stability of supply. When we talk about the sustainability of food production, we must first look inwards at food being produced at home. British farming is facing a crisis. I hear daily from

members of my own family, neighbours and friends about the challenges that they are facing, and their concerns and anxieties regarding their business.

For that reason, I feel honoured to work alongside organisations such as the Farm Safety Foundation, which campaigns to raise awareness of the mental health crisis facing farmers and farm workers. The immense pressure that the industry has faced over recent years is taking its toll financially, physically and mentally. Many farms across the country are on the precipice, with 110,000 farms having closed their farm gates since 1990. Many farmers do not know whether they will survive the next 12 months.

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
747 cc251-2WH 
Session
2023-24
Chamber / Committee
Westminster Hall
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