Suffolk farmer urges the UK to act responsibly to keep supermarkets stocked
It comes as the UN has warned of a global food crisis following the war in Ukraine
A Suffolk farmer is urging the UK to act responsibly to ensure supermarket shelves remain stocked in the wake of warnings from the UN of a potential global food crisis.
Glenn Buckingham, who's also a representative of the local NFU, tells us a food security policy would help prevent a food crisis in the UK.
He's also encouraging people to continue to buy British and support farmers here: "Do buy British.
"We farm to higher standards generally than the rest of the world, there are very few that can beat us on that.
"And you'll be supporting the British economy."
He added it's vital we protect the development of local produce: "We really should start looking at a food policy for this country, a food security policy.
"And we really ought to rev up the UK fruit industry... it's ratcheted up to an even more important issue for a lot of countries, not just this one."
Mr Buckingham told us things like avoiding excessive food shops and reducing our waste will help prevent empty shelves: "Less food waste is another issue that needs to come forward.
"There's a lot of food wasted in this country.
"That would help people and would mean more of it hits the supermarkets or is used and consumed."
Boris Johnson has been meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss getting grain out of Ukraine o alleviate the global food crisis from Russia’s “craven and reckless” blockade.
The Prime Minister raised his “significant concerns” with his ally in a call last Thursday morning as they plotted how to open up the “critical sea and land supply” routes.
Their talks came after United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres warned Vladimir Putin’s invasion could cause a food crisis lasting for years.
He said some countries could face famines if Ukrainian exports are not brought back to pre-war levels.
Around 20 million tonnes of grain are stuck in Ukraine from the previous harvest, according to the UN.