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Written Question
Food: Self-sufficiency
Tuesday 20th March 2018

Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the most recent figures for the UK's food self sufficiency; and what assessment they have made of whether increases in overall food production are an export opportunity or an opportunity for the UK to become more self-sufficient.

Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble

The UK's current production to supply ratio is 76% for indigenous-type foods and 60% for all foods. This has been stable for two decades and is not low in the context of the last 150 years; in the inter-war period, the rate was as low as 30-40%.

Self-sufficiency is not in itself an indicator of food security. The UK has historically been a net importer of food and it sources from a diverse range of stable countries. This approach will continue once we leave the EU. Achieving increased self-sufficiency in indigenous products would not insulate us from certain types of shocks. For example, severe weather and disease can have an impact on harvests and yields.

We have recently launched a new consultation, ‘Health and Harmony: The Future for Food, Farming and the Environment in a Green Brexit’ which sets out the proposed policy framework for agriculture after the UK leaves the EU. The Government is committed to boosting the productivity of UK agriculture through a strong focus on science, research and innovation, and by developing targeted transitional policies that reflect our farmers’ needs and allow them to grow more, sell more and export more of our fantastic British food.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 06 Mar 2018
Agriculture: Gene Editing

"My Lords, at least gene editing does not bring with it the threat that GMO technology used to bring. Nevertheless, when the Minister uses the term “more efficiently” in relation to gene editing, I think that he means “more quickly”. However, speed can cover up some of the issues that …..."
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 29 Jan 2018
Environment: 25-year Plan

"My Lords, I declare my interests as in the register. Today, I mostly want to talk about biodiversity and measuring improvement. Of course, the aims in the plan are laudable, but how will we know that the environment is in a better state? Sure, we can measure that water is …..."
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 11 Jan 2018
Waste: Chinese Import Ban

"My Lords, I congratulate my noble friend Lord Greaves on bringing forward this debate. It is not only topical but incredibly timely in view of the fact that the environment strategy was launched today.

My noble friend and the noble Baroness, Lady Redfern, have already mentioned the BBC programme “Blue …..."
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 07 Dec 2017
Plans to Improve the Natural Environment and Animal Welfare

"My Lords, I thank the noble Earl, Lord Caithness, for his introduction to this debate, and for securing it. I welcomed his emphasis on matters of soil. I think that the only thing that he did not mention was the lack of soil scientists. For years, academics have not really …..."
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 14 Nov 2017
Brexit: Food Prices

"To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they expect Brexit will affect United Kingdom food prices over the next five years...."
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 14 Nov 2017
Brexit: Food Prices

"My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply. He will be aware that food price inflation hit 4.1% today, which gives credence to predictions of the kind made by the British Retail Consortium that a no-deal Brexit would be followed by rises of up to 33%. I think that …..."
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Written Question
Environment Protection
Monday 30th October 2017

Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that environmental defenders, including park rangers, are being killed in record numbers globally.

Answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble

The UK government is committed to supporting those working hard to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. Tragically, over 100 rangers have died in the line of duty in the last 12 months, many at the hands of poachers. Through the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, Defra has funded three projects supporting park rangers and other environmental defenders. In addition Defra has funded the British Military to provide tracker training for African park rangers, helping to ensure their safety when detecting and disrupting the illegal wildlife trade.

Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 26 Oct 2017
Air and Water Pollution: Impact

"That this House takes note of the impact of air and water pollution on the environment and public health...."
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Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 26 Oct 2017
Air and Water Pollution: Impact

"My Lords, we know that air and water pollution are killers, but the recently published Lancet commission finding that more than 50,000 UK deaths are attributable to pollution each year—now, in the 21st century—really is a shocking statistic. Of those UK deaths, more than 28,000 are linked to air pollution …..."
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