Britain ‘must revive farms’ to avoid grave food crisis

Top thinktank issues stark warning of unrest over prices and says GM crops could offer a solution

Britain faces a major food crisis unless urgent steps are taken to revive its flagging agricultural sector, warns one of the world’s most influential thinktanks.

Following a week in which world leaders and the United Nations expressed deep concern about the prospect of global food shortages, Chatham House suggests there needs to be a major shake-up in the UK’s supply chain if the country is to continue feeding itself.


Controversially, the report’s authors claim the debate about the use of GM crops in the UK will have to be reopened if productivity is to be increased, a suggestion likely to spark anger from the green lobby.

They claim: “As part of the co-ordinated technological response, the debate over GM technology will need to be reopened. GM crops are cited by many food supply professionals as among the tools required in efforts to reconcile the maintenance of agricultural productivity with more sustainable and affordable food production.” But they add: “The issue remains highly contentious.”

The thinktank on international affairs also claims the UK’s consumers must expect to pay significantly more for their food if they want the country to develop a long-term sustainable food policy.

Guardian