Food security in the United Kingdom: External supply risks

Abstract

This paper examines some of the factors that contribute to an understanding of the notion of food security for a developed country like the UK. These include the level of self-sufficiency, the agricultural sector’s dependence on imported inputs, and openness of the economy. An interesting parallel between the food security debate and that of security of energy supplies is also explored. A quantitative assessment of the security of external food supply, based on indices borrowed from the recent literature on energy security, shows that whilst the position of the UK may have worsened slightly, the level of external supply risk is very low. In consequence, security of food supply in the UK does not appear to be an issue that warrants alarm or undue concern, although the debate is likely to rumble on.