Fuel shortage fears as farmers warn of UK food crisis

Oxfordshire MPs Olly Glover and Charlie Maynard have made an urgent warning about food production this summer and have demanded the government treat the situation as a national priority.

The Liberal Democrat duo cite data that shows some fertiliser prices have risen by more than 40 per cent and add that fuel costs for transporting produce to and from markets are spiralling.

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In addition, they say The National Farmers’ Union has raised concerns about not having the red diesel needed for this year’s harvest, which could see food rotting in the fields.   

Matt Lane, who runs a beef breeding farm in Denchworth said: “As we move into harvest, they will add significantly to costs not just directly in terms of fuel but also add to contractors’ bills and the price of many other inputs.

Olly Glover MP and Hannah Dorling, group secretary for the Wantage branch of the NFU (Image: Olly Glover)

“As a beef producer we need to get enough fodder for next winter and so either we will have to reduce stock numbers, and our output will reduce or our borrowing costs will increase.”

Olly Glover, the MP for Didcot and Wantage said that the farming industry has been “messed about” by the previous government’s handling of international trade deals and the transition from the old Basic Payment System to the Environment Land Management Scheme.

He said: “Family farms are the backbone of our food system and must be properly supported through fair funding, stable schemes and long-term certainty.”

Considering this, today (Friday, May 22), he is set to preside over a meeting in Wantage, which will include Alistair Carmichael, chair of the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Committee, as well as representatives from the National Farmers’ Union and the Country Land and Business Association.

They will discuss the work they are doing and what more can be done to address cost pressures and other challenges faced by farmers.

Charlie Maynard MP (Image: Oxfordshire Liberal Democrats)

The two MPs said that only 55 per cent of food is produced here in the UK but that growing global instability from conflicts in Iran and Ukraine is disrupting food supply chains, making it more expensive to grow our own food.

Charlie Maynard, MP for Witney, will also be at the meeting and said: “Our farmers are at the sharp end of the increases in fuel, fertiliser and shipping costs resulting from the crisis in Iran.

“When so many family farms did not even turn a profit this year, I’m deeply worried that this will be the final straw for so many, unless the government is willing to act to support them through this shock.” 

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They, and their party, argue that ensuring the UK has enough affordable food to eat isn’t being treated as the national priority it needs to be by government.  

Mr Lane agreed and added: “The current government doesn’t seem to understand the needs of rural communities.

“They recognise the food system as critical national infrastructure but have no coherent strategy for supporting food producers and the wider sector through this period of high fuel prices or in the long term.”