UK supermarkets have expressed support for farmers concerning the Business Asset Inheritance Tax, suggesting its introduction could affect food security. Agricultural expert Bruce Jobson, however, critiques supermarkets for contributing to the decline in national self-sufficiency. He stated, "Over the past 40 years, the UK population has increased by 20 per cent, and during that time, food security has declined by 30 per cent." He argues that supermarkets have favored imported produce, impacting domestic growers.
Jobson suggests that supermarkets should offer better compensation to UK farmers, particularly for perishable goods like milk, which are often discounted. He points out that supermarkets were silent when the government allocated 20 per cent of farmland for environmental policies.
According to Defra, the value of dessert apples fell by £38 million to £152 million in 2022, with culinary apples dropping by 61 per cent to £37 million in 2023. The area planted for Cox apples is now 13 per cent lower than in 2022 and 69 per cent lower than in 2010. Home vegetable production accounted for 53 per cent of the total UK supply in 2023, a 1 per cent decrease from 2022.
Defra stated, "Our commitment to farmers is steadfast. That is why this government is investing £5 billion into farming over the next two years." Jobson noted that home fruit production made up 16 per cent of the total UK supply in 2023, down 1 per cent from the previous year. Vegetable imports increased by 13 per cent, with major suppliers including the Netherlands, Morocco, and Spain.
Source: Hexham Courant