Dr Neil Hudson MP was invited as panel member for an informative discussion in Parliament on Food Security and the Future of Food Production given to MPs and their staff.
As a veterinary MP, a member of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, and with a wealth of professional experience in the countryside economy, Dr Hudson lent his expertise to policy makers in the wide-ranging discussion.
Sharing a platform with the NFU, Dr Hudson spoke at length on a host of issues from the global security implications of disrupted supply chains and consumer price concerns to the need for positivity for new nature friendly farm payment schemes and the role of future technologies such as AI and gene editing developments.
Having instigated the EFRA Committee Inquiry into Food Security, Dr Hudson drew heavily on his cross-party Committee’s well-researched Report which has made a host of recommendations to Government including boosting domestic production, addressing labour shortages with seasonal visas, and securing British fertiliser production.
The more than 50 attendees included farming experts, MPs, and parliamentary researchers.
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“With the war in Ukraine, the pandemic and global inflationary forces, we’ve seen in dramatic fashion just how crucial food security is for people in the UK and across the world. Everyone from farmers to constituents at the checkouts have been impacted so it is only right we are prioritising Food Security as a key issue for all Government departments.
“Having attended the Prime Minister’s Farm to Fork Summit in 10 Downing Street, I can see how seriously the issue is now being taken at the highest level of Government.
“It was therefore a pleasure to be invited to share my insights on a range of policy areas that will be critical over the coming years. I thank everyone for attending and look forward to working closely with decision makers to bolstering our food production and food security plans.”
