UK public spending watchdog finds government underprepared for food supply shocks

The short version

• The National Audit Office reported that the UK government has not done enough to prepare food supply systems for severe disruptions caused by climate change, disease, and cyberattacks.
• The UK imports over a third of its food, with most entering through only four ports, concentrating risk across the national supply chain.
• Industry groups and the NAO urged the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to improve communication with businesses and run more comprehensive emergency testing.

Key facts

• The National Audit Office found that the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has not adequately engaged industry and households to prepare for major food supply shocks.[The Guardian]
• More than one-third of the UK's food is imported from overseas, with the majority arriving via four primary ports: Dover, Felixstowe, Southampton, and London Gateway.[The Guardian]
• Food industry representatives reported reduced communication from Defra since the COVID-19 pandemic and noted limited input into disruption planning.[The Guardian]
• The government's last national exercise simulating severe food availability disruption took place in 2023 and omitted most supply chain businesses.[The Guardian]
• The Cold Chain Federation and other industry groups have requested that cold storage facilities and transport hubs be classified as critical national infrastructure to protect power supplies during blackouts.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• UK has not done enough to prepare for shocks to food supplies, says watchdogThe Guardian - World