War, farming and food supply

[Lifeinthepit]

With the recent incursions by Russia into NATO territory, it got me thinking about the increased danger of war. Bearing in mind we have nearly 70 million people squashed onto this island that's a lot of mouths to feed if the food supply lines are broken (which presumably would be a priority target by any enemy).

With that clear danger in mind, I wonder how the government is encouraging and supporting our farmers and what measures they are taking to ensure that farmers continue to farm the land to produce our food. And also how they are making sure there is enough proper farmland available (and not built on or sold to Blackrock to be covered in solar panels) to potentially support 70 million hungry people.

AIBU to think that the Government are doing the opposite of making sure our food supply will be secure in the time of any war.

In WW2 there was a plan put forward by Magnus Pyke, and considered by the minister of food Lord Woolton, to use spare donated blood stocks to make black pudding.

Thankfully it was rejected

That's put a new perspective on a full English.

Another - this government isn't working and OHHH be afraid of Russia post. Where do they all come from?

They come from reading the news???!🤣

Whilst people always say this I don’t think people understand that the quality of the ground available to create sustainable food for our population. It’s a bit like saying, there plenty of water in a river, there is, but how much is safe to drink?

Stepping away from partisan politics. I do thing there needs to be a cross party working grouo dedicated to food security. Looking at it from both a war perspective and a climate change perspective. It must be one of the biggest issues ahead.

From the many who don’t stick to Labour and generally the state of conflict

Farming in peacetime is about profit, not feeding the nation. That’s why we grow barley for whisky or lamb for export. In wartime, government redirects farming to maximise calories per acre (like WW2 with potatoes and wheat). Are you suggesting the government should start introducing policies that force farmers onto a war footing now? Doubt they’d be too happy with that.

There is a massive nuance between being a sheep and worrying about a preparing for war and food shortages in normal life.

im in a psychiatric hospital as we speak: a lot of people here speak like this. I’m sure you’re fine now. But do be aware how these thoughts can develope and be very mentally damaging. None of these people thought there was any harm worrying about war a year, 2 years ago.

That would risk evidence based policy though - illegal for centuries.

You'll have to find another way, I'm afraid.

No, but they did recently say 'uk must prepare for a war scenario' so id like to think a big part of preparing for that was food security. Like having an idea what it would look like and how it would be implemented. Im a similar way to how we had a plan for a flu epidemic but forgot to have upto date supplies to execute it.

they did recently say 'uk must prepare for a war scenario' so id like to think a big part of preparing for that was food security.

That was only meant for the wealthy. Gives them a chance to get out of dodge.

Very sobering post 😱I'm away to morrisons to stock up on tins of beans n soup.
What else should I get?

Yanbu - I cannot get my head around the horrific way this government is treating farmers at a time when food security is so important.

Control of the food and water supply is going to be changing in the future, so this is why plans are being put in place now. Farming all over the west is changing, we're not the only country in this situation.

No point in prepping, if it came to a serious full scale war, it's likely to turn nuclear and then a few tins of beans will mean fuck all

The only "prepping" worth doing is to have enough in to weather a few days - maybe a week - where you are snowed in, or there is some disruption to the supply and delivery of food.

Anything beyond that and you're really just making sure your a well fed corpse.

Serious end-of-civilisation prepping would start with a firearm and plenty of ammunition and work up from there. And you can't really do that legally in the UK.

Although I feel very sorry for you @Bambamhoohoo if you have been admitted to a psychiatric hospital (perhaps get off these sorts of MN threads?).I don't see the link between taking an interest in politics and current affairs, with admission for psychiatric problems. But thank you, obviously for your concern.

I was not a patient no. Not that it would make any difference if I was?! 🤨

trying to prep for a war that poses no real threat and worrying about food scarcity when there is no known threat isn’t “taking an interest in politics”, no. But you know best, so carry on.

My thread is about the negative approach the government is taking to farmers and farming which seems madness at a time when Russia is sending drones into a NATO country. And there's a war in Europe. We don't live in a bubble.

If you don't like discussing these sorts of issues don't read the thread would be my suggestion.

It’s just a discussion. NATO and others in top jobs have been talking about similar threats.

There was some chat a while ago that you should have iodine tablets and masking tape handy just in case there's a nuclear attack that is confined to a particular area (the UK is small so I suppose that might not be hugely helpful). I still think due to MAD that being nuked is unlikely. Russia would have attacked Ukraine a long time ago with nuclear weapons if it wasn't worried about the wind direction changing.

Yes, and that is because it’s their (top) job. Not sure mumsnetters potentially getting anxious/ obsessive about it is quite the same.

dismiss it all you want, as I say, for most people it is indeed just a discussion. However, You never know who will be in hospital in 12 months time screaming about food scarcity and war with Russia whilst getting sedated.

Having an awareness of, and looking after your mental wellbeing is extremely important. As I say, dismiss it if you like, I still think it’s worth the conversation.

Ok that’s a bit out there.

Do feel free to start your own thread on that issue.