Dorset MP calls for greater 'self-sufficiency' in food production
Chris Loder wants to see more land brought back into farming use
West Dorset's MP is calling for the UK's food self-sufficiency to be way above its current levels.
At the moment - we're currently 60% self-sufficient in all foods - but we rely heavily on imports of fruit and vegetables.
Chris Loder has criticised farmland being taken out of food production for other uses.
Mr Loder said:
“We should be harnessing highly fertile land to take our self-sufficiency levels way above 60% and to support our farmers who produce much of what we consume in this country, because food security is as important as any other matter.
"I shall look to closely monitor the impact of climate change and global insecurity on supply chains.”
His comments come after a Government plan to invest £2.4 billion annually into farming, and making it a legal requirement to publish a Food Security Index every year.
There's also a commitment to ensure a baseline production level of 60% of food within the UK.