How prepared is the UK for a disruption to its food supply? PAC to hold week of evidence sessions
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will hold a week of evidence sessions on the resilience of the UK’s food supply to disruptions, on Monday 12 October at 3.30pm and Thursday 15 October at 10am.
Severe food supply chain disruptions, such as extreme weather events and cyber-attacks, are becoming increasingly likely. The last exercise on a catastrophic event which tested the impact and response for food supply was in 2023. Limitations in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) approach were identified. Food supply chain businesses were largely excluded from the exercise, and the National Audit Office (NAO) has found that local resilience forums feel they lack clarity from government on what is expected of them in the event of supply chain disruption.
Two evidence sessions will be held as part of the PAC’s inquiry on the issue – Monday’s session will have two panels. In the first panel, the PAC will hear from the British Retail Consortium, the Food and Drink Federation, and farmer Harry Metcalfe (creator of YouTube channel Harry’s Farm), followed by a second panel with academics Prof. Neil Ward and Prof. Timothy Lang.
Members will seek witnesses’ views on the biggest challenges currently facing farmers, food retailers and manufacturers, as well as where points of failure may exist in the supply chain and how prepared the sector is for major disruption (e.g. to fuel supplies, droughts (as seen this summer) and flooding). Other likely topics include the main concerns around the UK’s ability to maintain its food supply while keeping food affordable, as well as the effectiveness of Defra’s 2025 food strategy.
A scrutiny session will then be held with Defra officials, including Defra’s Permanent Secretary Paul Kissack, at which members will assess Defra’s preparedness for a severe supply chain disruption, as well as the level of local and societal preparedness. Questions are also likely on how Defra can improve its engagement with the food sector, as well as what progress it has made in implementing its strategy.