Experts across the food sector, including researchers from the Transforming UK Food Systems Programme, have published a new report exploring how the UK could better prepare for significant disruptions to food supplies. These disruptions could arise from global conflicts, extreme weather, cyber‑attacks, or other major shocks. The report also outlines actions that can be taken now to stop such events from escalating into a food crisis.
Published in the journal Sustainability, the report warns that long-standing structural issues are leaving the UK food system vulnerable, and that tackling these weaknesses is essential for improving national food resilience.
The report sets out how triggers such as international conflict, cyber incidents or severe weather could initiate a cascade of events and disrupt trade. For example, international conflict could increase energy prices, and interrupt agricultural and food supply chains. These pressures could increase food prices, with low‑income households affected most severely, resulting in reduced access to nutritious food and food insecurity. This could lead to increased social tensions and, in the worst case, lead to significant erosion of public trust in government to the point of civil unrest. To mitigate these risks, the report recommends a number of key interventions, including increasing the UK’s energy security, diversifying food value chains, and encouraging more resilient and varied diets.
Drawing on interviews with more than 30 experts from academia, government, and industry, the report identifies key vulnerabilities in the UK food system, crisis triggers, and interventions that could prevent them. The report also introduces a detailed map of the UK food system, a new tool already being used by policymakers to guide more resilient decision-making.
To find out more:
Read the manuscript.
Read the press release.
