'British farmer must have access to all tools'

A large proportion of residents in Britain are concerned about the fragility of the food system. This refers in particular to the coronavirus, Brexit and climate change. This is shown by research by the Agricultural Biotechnology Council (ABC). According to the agency, it is therefore necessary for farmers to have access to all available tools.

The ABS survey shows that 66% of the more than 2.100 respondents are concerned about the impact that a second corona wave could have on the food supply. Although the country's food supply has stabilised, residents here remain concerned after the empty shelves at the start of the crisis. About 32% are also more concerned about the availability of fresh food in the UK than residents of other countries.

According to Mark Buckingham, the chairman of ABC, this research shows the need for farmers to have access to all the tools available. "Farmers need the same access to new technologies as competitors in countries like Australia and Canada. Only in this way can we keep our food production resilient and sustainable," he writes. This survey shows that 33% of the respondents support the intensification of agriculture, for example by making more use of greenhouses.

Climate change and Brexit
However, the fear is not limited to the corona virus, because Brexit and climate change are also a cause for concern. More than 65% fear the consequences of climate change, including drought. Only 32% of those surveyed are confident that the system is prepared for extreme weather and only 34% believe it is prepared for biological threats, such as new pests. In addition, it appears that only 3 in 10 inhabitants believe that the United Kingdom is prepared for trade interruptions and/or problems with the European Union or the United States.

A third of the respondents fear the consequences of a ban on certain types of seeds and/or restrictions on the use of plant protection products. The British therefore believe that more needs to be done to support farmers in order to future-proof the agricultural sector and keep it resilient. More than 50% expressed support for the use of new agricultural innovations, such as new plant breeding techniques such as gene editing to make crops more resistant to diseases and pests. Also in The Netherlands this picture emerged recently.

Kimberly Baker

Kimberly Bakker is an all-round editor at Boerenbusiness. She also has an eye for the social media channels of Boerenbusiness.

k.baker @boerenbusiness. Nl

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