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UK Food Supply in the 21st Century: The New Dynamic

In addition to our established areas of research, Chatham House undertakes an increasing number of initiatives that combine our regional and thematic expertise to focus on specific areas of policy. This project, 'UK Food Supply in the 21st Century: the New Dynamic', is a major component of that effort.

Project stakeholders can LOGIN HERE to the Food Supply Project Website.

The project was given its public launch in 2007 following 18 months of evaluation. The research is focused on the future, examining the effects of global trends on the networks that supply two staples, wheat and dairy, to the UK market.

The work is built around a core panel of stakeholders with research expertise drawn from centres of excellence around the country. Highlighting the challenges to be faced, it is giving participants a system-wide perspective and will develop, through scenario-based analysis, the options open to professionals across each supply network.

Research undertaken between March and November 2007 included a series of interviews and discussions with leading players within and around Britain's wheat and dairy supply networks. The work indicates that there are widespread doubts about the ability of global food production to meet rising demand, with constraints on the availability of energy, water and land frequently identified as issues of particular significance. Overall, there is an expectation of significant structural change in existing food supply arrangements and the policies that support them; and there is a belief that Britain as a society has a number of important choices to make if it is to secure the kind of supply arrangements that best support its interests.

These preliminary findings will influence the next stages of project research, in particular, the development of four global scenarios that could shape the future of the UK's food supply. The range of variables to be considered in this process include:

• global responses, including from major emerging economies such as China and India;
• the role of science and technology;
• the respective roles of government, industry and consumers and the best way to encourage desired behaviours and operating practices.

Much of the work will be done in a series of by-invitation workshops.

Resources:

• UK Food Supply: Storm Clouds on the Horizon
  Briefing Paper, Jan 08
  Press release.
• Rising Food Prices: Drivers and Implications for Development
  Briefing Paper, Apr 08
  Press release.
• Thinking About the Future of Food: The Chatham House Food Supply Scenarios
  Briefing Paper, May 08

Further Information:

UK Food Supply in the 21st Century: The New Dynamic
Briefing Paper, Jan 07 - This Briefing Paper sets out the project's aim, scope and initial conclusions

• Project Information
• Project Sponsorship
• Research Team

Joint Initiative on Global Food Prices

Chatham House and the Center on International Cooperation are working on a new initiative to provide policy makers with a strategic assessment of global food prices and their implications, particularly for developing countries.

The path-finding study is being taken forward by Alexander Evans.