Cereals: Imports

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs written question – answered am ar 19 Mawrth 2025.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Baroness Hodgson of Abinger Baroness Hodgson of Abinger Ceidwadwyr

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the levels of non-assured grain being imported and undercutting the price of home-grown grain.

Photo of Baroness Hayman of Ullock Baroness Hayman of Ullock The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

UK Farm Assurance schemes are industry led and managed, therefore government has made no assessment on the level of assured grain in the UK supply chain.

British farmers are world-leaders and know their own land best - carefully planning their planting to suit the weather, their soil type, and their long-term agronomic strategy. In 2023, domestically produced wheat accounted for 83% of the wheat used in the milling grist.

Due to environmental and climate conditions the UK milling industry require a certain level of imports of high protein milling wheat year on year to meet con-sumer demand. Cereals are internationally traded commodities. Subsequently, their supply chains are dynamic and responsive to global market developments in price and availability.

This is a good example of food security, built as it is on supply from diverse sources, strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. The import part of this supplements domestic production and ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply.  Due to environmental and climate conditions the UK milling industry require a certain level of imports of high protein milling wheat year on year to meet consumer demand.

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