BENN MUST GIVE ANSWERS ON FOOD SECURITY - WILLIAMS

1.04.39pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 7th May 2009

Speaking ahead of Secretary of State Hilary Benn's evidence session to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Roger Williams MP has called on him to set out a strategy on food security.

Roger Williams, who is a member of the EFRA Select Committee, will today tackle Hilary Benn in an evidence session, over ensuring that future UK food supplies are secured, and over arresting the decline of farming in the UK.

In a question tabled by Roger Williams, DEFRA revealed that the UK was 60.3% self-sufficient in all food types and 72.9% self-sufficient in indigenous foods. UK Self-sufficency in indigenous foods stood at 86% in 1994.

Further answers showed that in England since 2006:

· Sheep flocks and Cattle herds have decreased by 8000

· 1000 fewer livestock farmers

· 300,000 fewer cattle

· 200,000 fewer pigs

· 100,000 fewer sheep

A bid to overturn the European Commission's stance on compulsory electronic identification of sheep was recently rejected at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, despite increased opposition to the plans. A survey of NFU Members in March revealed that 84% of Welsh sheep farmers said that they would reduce their flock if EID and Individual recording is introduced, while 32% said they might get rid of their entire flock.

Commenting, Roger Williams said:

"The future of farming in the UK is by no means secure, and the underlying frailty of the sector threatens our ability to produce our own food in the future.

"The situation has got worse in recent years as these figures show, and farmers are continuing to leave the industry as it becomes more and more difficult to sustain a farming business.

"We know that EID is likely to have a devastating effect on the numbers of Welsh sheep farmers. While time is running out for the Government to overturn this decision, they must start planning for what they will do if they are unsuccessful to ensure that sheep farmers stay in the industry.

"I will be asking Hilary Benn what he is doing to ensure that the UK halts the decline of our agricultural industries and safeguards our food security.

"We could leave it to other countries, but this would be a very dangerous idea, because of the uncertainties surrounding disease and political stability, so Hilary Benn must set out what he is planning to do to safeguard the UK's food production."