Food Security — Commends the Government's role — 30 Jun 2008 at 21:49

The majority of MPs voted against the motion, which read:^[1]

• This House
• notes with concern current food shortages which are believed to have pushed 100 million people into hunger worldwide;
• recognises that rising food prices are putting household budgets under increasing strain;
• believes that with rising global demand and pressure on supply it is both a practical and moral imperative that Great Britain retains the capacity to produce a significant proportion of its own food;
• notes that UK self-sufficiency in food has declined considerably over the last decade;
• regrets the Government's failure to accept that domestic production is a necessary condition for food security; and
• urges the Government to relieve pressure on world markets and ensure the security of domestic food supply by enabling British farmers to optimise food production while preserving the natural environment.

In its place an alternative motion was presented:^[2]

• This House
• notes with concern current food shortages which are believed to have pushed 100 million people into hunger worldwide;
• acknowledges the steps taken by the Prime Minister to encourage coordinated international action to address global food security;
• welcomes the additional UK contribution to the World Food Programme;
• recognises that rising food prices as a result of global pressures are affecting household food budgets;
• believes that with rising global demand Great Britain needs a strong farming industry able to produce a significant proportion of UK food;
• notes that UK self sufficiency stands at 74 per cent. for food which can be grown in the UK, which is higher than in the early 1950s; and
• commends the Government's role in helping to develop a domestic farming sector that produces what consumers want in a way that preserves natural resources and enhances the valuable environmental benefits that it provides to society.

which passed without a further vote.

• [1] James Paice MP, House of Commons, 30 June 2008
• [2] Hilary Benn MP, House of Commons, 30 June 2008

Debate in Parliament | Source |