Food

Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to guarantee food security in staples such as rice, maize and wheat in the United Kingdom and internationally. [HL2656]

The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker)
Food security is about ensuring that consumers in the UK, and internationally, have access to a stable and adequate supply of food. The Government believe that an important element in facilitating national and international food security is improved trading relationships based on more open international markets and reductions in trade distorting subsidies. Defra's role in this regard includes pressing for further common agricultural policy reform and an ambitious and successful outcome to the World Trade Organisation negotiations and the Doha development agenda. The UK currently enjoys a high level of food security, but we are not complacent and we will continue to monitor the key indicators of UK and global food security.

Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment they have made of the effect of climate change on the security of food supplies. [HL2658]

Lord Rooker
In 2006, Defra published a study on food security which concluded that the UK, as a rich and open economy in a temperate and northerly latitude, has a very robust and diverse food supply. However, the study also recognised the need to manage the various risks, including climate change, associated with modern food chains as well as the food security challenges facing developing countries. We will continue to monitor the key indicators of UK and global food security.

Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action is being proposed internationally to alleviate anticipated global food shortages resulting from climate change and increases in the global population. [HL2660]

Lord Rooker
Some research indicates that the impacts of climate change and increases in the global population are unlikely to exceed the global capacity to produce staple food commodities. However, clearly there are challenges ahead in feeding a growing world population, not least in developing countries, and doing so in a way that respects the limits of the world's natural resources. In the face of climate change, the UK is working with the United Nations, the EC, the World Bank, donor Governments and other organisations to improve understanding, globally, of the risks and impacts of climate change and how it may impact on food production systems. The UK will also work with the major emerging economies to support development and growth which is environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.