Food and farming security under threat from international developments

In the US, the Trump administration has ended $60 billion of foreign assistance programmes, with vast implications for humanitarian relief, food, nutrition and agricultural programmes. Meanwhile, in the UK, overseas development aid currently supports tens of millions of people who are chronically food insecure and often experiencing the frontline impact of conflict and climate change.

Yet Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week announced a cut in UK overseas development aid, from 0.5% of the UK’s gross national income to 0.3% – a cut of about £6bn – in order to pay for increased defence spending. Other countries look set to follow suit. As the UK food and farming movement, how shall we stand in solidarity with the millions of people in need around the world who will experience increased hunger and suffering? 

Such a shift in politics and spending also raises the very real prospect of increased conflict, disrupted supply chains and increased food prices. In this context, the work of our old friend and alliance mentor Professor Tim Lang on national food security as part of the National Preparedness Commission looks ever more prescient. Everyone should read and digest his opus published in February – including the 15 priority recommendations.

We must work together to stimulate proper government, investor and industry attention to ‘true food security’ predicated on sustainable farming, restoration of nature and growing what we need for good nutrition accessible and affordable for everybody. Old-school economic thinking won't wash. Through the lens of 'true food security', a commitment to agroecological food in public- and private-sector procurement is a win-win priority; supply chain policies and buyer practices supporting farm profitability are vital; and a renaissance in horticultural production is now a strategic necessity. We will take this timely work and policy priorities into account during the Sustain alliance’s strategy process in 2025.

We must also come together with clarity and impetus to make sure that the new National Food Strategy adequately does the job that it must for this new era. This must include the necessary legislation to keep commitments on track, through thick and thin. We lack (and need to campaign together to win) the legislative tools in the box to hold our policy-makers to account for keeping good food and farming policy on track through the roller-coaster of the years to come.

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the National Preparedness Commission, said:

“Food security is a cornerstone of national resilience. This report highlights the urgent need for a coordinated, whole-society approach to ensure that no one in the UK is left vulnerable in the face of future crises. The risks to our food systems are more pronounced than ever before. From floods in key farming regions to disruptions in global trade, we are facing a confluence of threats that could undermine our ability to feed ourselves. The recommendations provide a clear path forward, and it is vital that we act now to implement them.”

Unfortunately, we must also be aware that vast increases in defence spending, and policy-making driven by international politics, will mean less money and political bandwidth for the work that our alliance holds dear. 15% of the UK population is already food insecure due to low income. In a world spending more money on weapons, the social security budget will be under huge downward pressure, with little prospect for relief. As an alliance, we must of course continue to defend and promote cash-first approaches to food poverty. We must also support work to make good food accessible to those who need it, such as through the many initiatives supported by our collective work on Bridging the Gap. The policy and delivery infrastructure of the Sustainable Food Places network looks ever more vital, and should be an expectation for all places, as well as the practical support and benchmarking of actions that can be taken by national government and local authorities. 

However, where will the money come from? We need policies that can secure substantial new income streams, such as a new levy on unhealthy food, as championed by our alliance campaign, Recipe for Change. If the success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy is anything to go by, this could raise billions for investment in good food and health. Only with such bold economic shifts will there be enough money in the pot to increase spending on school meals, support community food initiatives, pay farmers properly for the food they produce, and help millions of our fellow citizens afford adequate food.

Meanwhile, there are prospects of a trade deal with the US. Agriculture and food will no doubt be high on the agenda as a bargaining chip. In the current political and economic context, will a British government want to jeopardise a deal for the sake of defending British farmers and food standards? The UK’s alignment with either EU or US standards will be hugely politicised, especially by a US President who has already expressed very negative opinions about the European Union. As an alliance, we will need to step up and vociferously defend core standards that are good for farmers, health, nature and climate.

In the face of ugly rhetoric and the chainsaw being taken to employment policies in the US, we should also all re-confirm our commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism. Colleagues from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities and identities, throughout our movement, will no doubt be feeling insecure and upset by all that is happening in the world. Our own collective actions to be supportive and inclusive are part of the antidote to the growing divisions. We need to be the welcome and the solidarity we want to see in the world.

In times of crisis, food and farming policy – so often invisible – comes centre-stage. As an influential nation on the international stage, how we choose to respond to growing insecurity and hunger will affect the lives of millions of people. Domestically, we must choose policies and support initiatives that secure a healthy, affordable and agroecologically grown supply of food that will feed us all now, whilst preparing for any crisis or conflict that may come.