Farmers Warn Climate Change and Rising Costs Threaten UK Food Security
Farmers in the UK have warned that food security can no longer be taken for granted, as they face rising costs, climate-related uncertainty, and increasing pressure on the agricultural sector. The concerns were highlighted at the annual Royal Bath and West Show, where industry figures described the current period as a “strange year” for farming.
Key issues raised by farmers include volatile milk prices, a shortage of rural housing, mental health challenges, and, most significantly, the rising cost of fuel and energy. Many believe these pressures are being intensified by global instability, including geopolitical tensions and the ongoing impact of climate change on food production systems.
Richard Clothier, managing director of Wyke Farms in Somerset, said food and energy security are becoming increasingly interconnected. He warned that neither can be assumed to be stable in the current global environment. “With climate change and the other geopolitical challenges around the world, food security can’t be taken for granted anymore,” he said, adding that disruptions in energy markets have shown how quickly essential systems can be affected.
Farmers also pointed to the impact of international supply chains on UK agriculture. Around 30% of fertiliser chemicals and 20% of global oil supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route that has been affected by regional tensions in recent years. Disruptions to this route have contributed to rising global input costs, which are now being felt directly by British farmers.
Jeremy Moody, secretarial adviser to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, said the UK’s ability to produce its own food has declined over time. Domestic food production for national consumption has reportedly fallen from over 70% to below 60%, raising questions about long-term resilience in an increasingly uncertain global market.
Climate change has added further strain, with farmers reporting unpredictable weather patterns, including unusually dry springs and warmer-than-average conditions. These shifts have made planning more difficult, forcing some farmers to reconsider cropping strategies, switch to alternative crops, or adopt environmental schemes instead of traditional farming cycles.
David Cotton, chairman of the Dairy Show and trustee of the Bath and West Society, said weather patterns have become increasingly unreliable. He noted that farmers are now making hay earlier than usual due to unusually dry conditions, adding that traditional seasonal expectations are becoming less dependable.
Beyond financial and environmental pressures, mental health remains a growing concern within farming communities. Support organisations such as the Farming Community Network report increasing demand for assistance as farmers struggle with uncertainty, isolation, and financial stress.
As discussions continue at agricultural events across the UK, farmers are calling for greater recognition of the risks facing domestic food production. Many argue that strengthening resilience in farming systems is essential not only for economic stability but also for long-term national food security in a changing climate.