Britons are being urged to keep food supplies at home as ministers face growing risks to the national food chain from extreme weather, cyber attacks, disease outbreaks and international conflict.
The warning comes from the National Audit Office, which said disruptions were becoming more likely and potentially more severe. It called on the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to work more closely with households, local authorities and food businesses to prepare for shortages.
Food is classed by the Government as one of 13 critical national infrastructure sectors because its disruption could affect essential services, national security and the functioning of the state. The supply chain stretches from farms and manufacturers to warehouses, supermarkets and catering businesses. ([nao.org.uk](https://www.nao.org.uk/work-in-progress/resilience-of-the-uk-food-supply-chain-to-disruptions/?utm_source=openai))
The watchdog said Defra had taken some steps to improve its emergency planning, including expanding its team responsible for food supply chain resilience. But it concluded that the department had done too little in recent years to encourage businesses, communities and households to prepare for a serious interruption.
Government research indicates that UK households are less prepared for emergencies than those in several other countries. The NAO also said food companies had reported less engagement with Defra since the Covid pandemic and had limited input into the department’s plans for responding to supply disruption.
The last national exercise designed to test Defra’s readiness for a catastrophic event affecting food supplies took place in 2023. Businesses were largely excluded from such exercises, while local resilience forums said they lacked clarity about what would be expected of them during a major disruption. ([ebs.publicnow.com](https://ebs.publicnow.com/view/62EDDE61D2CF2EA0D2AA0D3231E1C3D9962932D2?utm_source=openai))
The NAO said Defra had expressed little confidence in 2025 that cross-government efforts to improve resilience were sufficiently joined up. It also warned that the department might not possess the legal powers required to direct companies to take emergency action during a severe crisis.
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said recent events including the pandemic and the war in Ukraine had demonstrated the strength of the UK’s food network, but that the nature of the risks was changing.
“Recent disruptions have shown the resilience of the UK’s food supply chain, but risks are increasing in likelihood and severity,” he said. “Defra should learn from approaches taken in other countries, and strengthen preparedness for emergencies by testing plans with local government and industry.”
The report recommended that Defra review its response plans, examine legal powers that could be used during a catastrophic shortage and consider measures adopted by other countries and critical infrastructure sectors. It also called for future Government initiatives aimed at household and community preparedness to include specific advice on food supplies.
The warning comes as farmers face difficult growing conditions. Crops have been damaged by wildfires and drought, while the National Farmers’ Union has described the outlook as “increasingly concerning”. Some dairy farmers are already using winter feed because grass has failed to grow adequately.
Supermarket chiefs including Tesco’s Ken Murphy and Sainsbury’s Simon Roberts have also called for greater food self-sufficiency in the UK.
A Defra spokesman said: “The Prime Minister has made clear that food security is national security.”
“The NAO’s report shows risks to food supplies are becoming more complex. We are working with farmers and the food and drink industry to strengthen the UK’s food security and resilience.”
The department said it would consider the report’s findings as part of its work to build a more resilient, productive and sustainable food system.
