Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food

Farm leaders say just 65 % of UK food is home‑grown and supply chains could buckle in a crisis.

A Sky News Money blog notes growing concerns that the UK produces only about 65 % of its own food, down from 78 % in 1984:contentReference[oaicite:31]{index=31}.

National Farmers Union president Tom Bradshaw said the country is “criminally” dependent on imports and urged the government to treat food security with the same importance as defence:contentReference[oaicite:32]{index=32}.

Former food‑security tsar Tim Benton warned that just‑in‑time supply chains are fragile and could collapse in a crisis, pointing to recent shocks from Brexit and the pandemic:contentReference[oaicite:33]{index=33}.

While ministers have pledged investment in farming and technology, experts say more urgent action is needed to ensure the UK can feed itself.