As the World Farmers Organisation (WFO) represents farmers from the UK and across the world at the Prime Minister’s Global Food Summit today, the Presidents of the WFO and NFU have issued a joint statement highlighting the importance of investing in the agricultural sectors for increasing national and global food security.
WFO President Arnold Puech d’Alissac and NFU President Minette Batters said:
“The Global Food Summit is a welcome initiative by the UK Government and comes at a critical time for farmers and growers across the world.
The enormity of feeding a growing global population while also finding solutions to the climate crisis cannot be underestimated. At the same time, extreme weather events, rising geopolitical tensions, policy changes and increasing costs of production are all leaving farmers in a vulnerable position.
The good news is that no matter where we are in the world, the steps to take are often the same – for governments to keep a meaningful interest in the agricultural sectors by ensuring markets treat farmers fairly and deliver policies that boost sustainable food production while keeping farm operations viable. Only then can farm businesses invest in the future and produce more high quality, climate-friendly food for markets at home and abroad.
With the right policies in place and knowledge and innovation available, we remain positive that food security can be realised in all countries. This will require international solidarity and a joint effort from lawmakers across the world to ensure fair value chains, invest in infrastructure, and integrate climate adaptation and mitigation policies within agricultural sectors.
These are our building blocks, and they must start at a local, regional and national level if we are to stand any chance of achieving food security worldwide. That is what conversations at Number 10 must centre around today, because we can no longer afford to take food for granted.”