Food security reviews will inform Government policy, says Farming Minister

“We are obviously working at pace to develop our future farming policy and we have a long transition period to do that,” she said.

“Things will change during that period, we will start off with whatever we come up with for next year, and then gradually it will evolve.

“Of course, the food work will be part of that learning and part of what we do going forward. I would certainly expect the findings of the review to make future policy, that is what it is for.”

Ms Prentis went on to say the Government’s goal was not to achieve 100 per cent self-sufficiency, but a secure food chain.

Target

Her comments came shortly after professor Tim Lang from City, University of London, called for the UK to set a target to be 80 per cent self-sufficient in food, up from 53 per cent today.

He said: “At 80 per cent, you can eat well most of the time and have lots of food trade, but you can tighten your belt if things go bad.

“Fifty per cent of your food being traded? That is risky.”