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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps her Department plans to take to tackle food insecurity in relation to reducing food waste, improving agricultural food production and increasing climate resilience.

The Government is taking action to support farmers that are facing pressure from this summer’s exceptionally dry conditions. This includes temporary adjustments to Environmental Land Management (ELM) agreements, so farmers affected by drought can continue to receive payments and take practical steps to protect livestock, crops and land; an increase in funding for Sustainable Farming Incentive 2026 Window 2; and action and funding to support building reservoirs.

Defra is also building greater long-term resilience to climate shocks, in line with the Farming Roadmap’s commitments.

In addition, Defra funded allocated £13.5 million through its farm surplus fund to help redistribution charities work with farmers in England to ensure more surplus fresh produce gets to those who need it most.