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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much importance is accorded to food security in the determination of the Government's agricultural policy.

Food security considerations form an important part of agricultural policy, and is built on the combination of a strong food production base in the UK with access to a wide variety of markets and an open, rules-based world trading system. We are developing a long-term plan to boost the competitiveness of the British food and farming industry and maximise its contribution to economic growth.

The Government spends approximately £450million a year on agri-food research to address the challenges posed by food security. This is coordinated by UK funders via the Global Food Security Programme. The Agri-Tech Strategy (£160million investment) aims to make the UK a world leader in agricultural technology, innovation and sustainability. The Strategy is industry-led and driven by a Leadership Council which brings together Government departments, farming and industry as well as the agricultural science community.