[ad_1]
Defra secretary George Eustice says the federal government is “giving some thought” to subsequent yr’s UK rising season, in response to the conflict in Ukraine which has shocked the worldwide meals system.
There are mounting fears about meals provides for 2023 within the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the impression that is having on world markets, together with hovering enter prices which are wiping out any advantages from increased commodity costs and crippling companies.
See additionally: NFU chief accuses Eustice of ‘dwelling in a parallel universe’
Talking on the Meals and Drink Federation (FDF) convention in London on Tuesday (22 March), Mr Eustice mentioned present authorities assessments have been that for the UK the impression of the conflict could be on costs, fairly than provide – with some exceptions.
“It’s the case {that a} important quantity of our sunflower oil has come from Ukraine,” he instructed the convention.
“However when you may have the form of market disruption that we’re seeing, and a shock to world markets because of this horrible invasion, the only most vital factor that the remainder of the world can do is maintain markets open.”
Mr Eustice mentioned there have been about 200m tonnes of wheat in shops all over the world, and that should be capable to transfer to the place it’s wanted.
‘Normality’
After his speech, the Defra secretary instructed journalists: “So much can occur within the months forward. What we hope will occur is [Russian president Vladimir] Putin will abandon this horrific invasion of Ukraine and issues will settle again to some normality.
“We’re giving some thought to the subsequent rising season.
“There can be a call they [farmers] will make, clearly later within the yr, about whether or not to sow for the next winter and that can be largely dictated by what they choose their enter prices to be, and what value they count on to get for his or her wheat.
“It’s too early to make these judgments in the intervening time, however it’s definitely one thing we’re engaged on.”
Mr Eustice mentioned the federal government established a bunch in January to evaluate the impression the Ukraine disaster would have on the foods and drinks business, and this work was ongoing throughout departments.
“We are going to emerge from this disaster with a renewed give attention to our meals safety, the significance of worldwide meals safety and our nationwide resilience as nicely,” he mentioned.
Frustration
However Labour’s shadow Defra secretary, Jim McMahon, instructed the FDF convention he was annoyed by an absence of joined-up pondering inside authorities, and threw his help behind FDF’s name for a nationwide meals safety council.
FDF chief govt Karen Betts mentioned: “The UK’s much-prized meals safety and resilience have to be fiercely guarded. We want to see a nationwide meals safety council to work alongside our farm-to-fork business, to assist us reply collectively in actual time to provide chain impacts.”
Mr Eustice mentioned the federal government’s eagerly awaited meals technique would tackle meals safety and the significance of home manufacturing.
[ad_2]
Source link