3rd February
The availability of food is highlighted as a major concern for the UK in the Government report, Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security. Food insecurity is seen as major national issue.
The UK is just 62% self sufficient for all foods, and when looking at indigenous foods (ie those that can be grown in the UK) we are disappointingly only 75% self sufficient. In other words we are importing up to 25% of foods that could be grown here in the UK!
The Guardian recently produced an article about food security in Finland. (1) Despite a not very amenable climate with a short growing season, Finland is 80% self sufficient for food. Finland is by nature a country where a preparedness mindset is essential in the face of its climate, its geopolitical borders and its own geography.
Finland’s National Emergency Supply Agency (Nesa) ensures that the nation will cope if things go wrong. They maintain a strategic store of grains – wheat, oats, barley and rye – which is rotated to ensure freshness. This reserve helped to reassure people when the war in Ukraine led to grain shortages.
Farms form the backbone of their food system, and they have developed varieties of grain and other staples that are suitable for their short growing season. Alongside the farms, Finland ensures that their food supply chain is also resilient. Emergency fuel reserves are kept for both farm machinery and transport vehicles.
Another key part of Finland’s resilience strategy is in ensuring preparedness at household level too. Finnish households are all encouraged to maintain a sufficient stock of food and other essentials to last 72 hours.
The Green Tau 