Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle has encouraged UK households to maintain a supply of food to improve personal resilience against potential emergencies. The advice follows warnings regarding the impact of a significant El Niño event, which is expected to bring more intense storms, drier summers, and wetter winters to the country.
The government’s recommendation aligns with findings from a recent National Audit Office (NAO) report, which highlighted that the UK's food supply chain faces mounting risks from climate change, cyber-attacks, and outbreaks of disease. The NAO criticized the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for an over-reliance on the private sector to manage potential supply disruptions, noting that the UK lags behind nations like Finland and Sweden in terms of household emergency preparedness.
Phil Pluck, chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation, echoed these concerns, noting that the food supply system is vulnerable to targeted cyber-attacks and global logistical challenges. He stated that relying solely on private industry to resolve every disruption is no longer sustainable, adding that "there should be some sensible stocking in each household."
In response to the NAO report, a Defra spokesperson stated that the government is actively working with industry partners to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the food system. The government plans to introduce a formal strategy by the end of 2026 to better prepare the public for national emergencies, including guidance on managing potential shortages of food and water.
Source: BBC News
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