Experts urge UK government to build nationwide food stockpiles for crises

A panel of 150 experts, led by Professor Tim Lang and supported by First Secretary Louise Haigh, has urged the UK government to establish a comprehensive system of food storage sites to protect citizens in the event of a national emergency. The letter, delivered before the deadline for evidence on revising the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, argues that one outlet reliance on just-in-time deliveries and imported supplies leaves the country exposed to climate-related droughts, cyber-attacks on retailers like Marks & Spencer and the Co-op, and even armed conflict.

Citing the wartime storage network that was phased out after EU accession, the signatories recommend creating national, regional, local and community stockpiles, as well as forming food-resilience committees at the local level. They also suggest renaming the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to focus on food security. Government officials responded that food security is treated as a national-security issue and highlighted a £65 million resilience package for farmers and a new climate-security taskforce. The Cabinet Office announced a public-awareness campaign on household emergency preparedness.