Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the war in Ukraine on (1) global food supplies, and (2) food prices; and what steps they are taking, together with international partners, to mitigate global food insecurity.

The crisis in Ukraine has increased food prices and risks exacerbating high food insecurity in vulnerable countries. Countries immediately affected are those most dependent on food and fertiliser imports from Ukraine and Russia, in particular those that may not have sufficient options for substitution in the short term and have weak public finances. The UK is monitoring developments closely and is encouraging the relevant multilateral institutions to prioritise rapid information, analysis, and response options. We are working with G7 partners to consider policy and programming response that mitigates the risk of an extended global food price crisis and protects food security. This included the agreement on 11 March by G7 Agricultural Ministers to call on all countries to keep their food and agricultural markets open.