Food security just as crucial as energy supply, conference told

ENSURING food security is just as important to the world’s future as energy supply, British Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Hilary Benn, told delegates at the Oxford Farming Conference yesterday.

He was unveiling the British government’s food strategy, Food 2030, which outlines the challenges in maintaining a secure food supply at a time of rapid population growth, climate change, droughts and rising oil prices.

Farming and food businesses contribute more than £80 billion (€88.9m) to Britain’s economy and represent its largest manufacturing sector, employing 3.6 million people.