UK drought highlights precarious food system

Much of England is now officially in drought. Reservoir levels are being closely monitored by water companies, while farmers are reporting dry soils and poor crop conditions. Further restrictions such as grazing rules could soon come into effect.

Water is recognised as critical national infrastructure. However, drought does not only threaten our water supply. It also tests the resilience of the food system that depends on it.

For most of us, that reality becomes visible in the supermarket: standing in front of a shelf with no cucumbers, more expensive tomatoes or fewer fresh vegetables to choose from. These episodes have become increasingly familiar in recent years. We notice the empty shelves, accept the higher prices and move on.

But I keep wondering: why does this surprise so many people?

The UK carefully monitors many of the systems that underpin everyday life. We publish inflation figures every month, NHS waiting lists every week and regularly report on water reservoir levels because these indicators tell us whether essential systems are becoming stronger or weaker. They provide an early indication that intervention may be needed before problems escalate. Food, however, is different. We tend to judge the resilience of our food system only after something has gone wrong.

That seems odd for something so fundamental. Food is every bit as essential as healthcare, energy or water,...

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