Farmers Warn: Food Security Needs Ongoing Attention

Farmers speaking at the Bath and West Show warned that food security should not be treated as a given. In their view, the ability to produce and supply enough food depends on complex, changing factors. If those factors shift, shortages and higher prices can follow. They drew a close parallel with energy security. Energy affects agriculture directly through fuel, transport, and the cost of running machinery and other inputs. When energy prices climb or energy supplies become less reliable, farming becomes more expensive and less predictable. That pressure can reduce how much food farms can produce, especially when farmers already face tight budgets. The farmers are asking for more sustained planning and stronger support from decision-makers. They want policies that help farms manage risk and keep production steady over time, rather than responding only after problems begin.