Written questions

Armed Conflict and El Niño

2026-05-18 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · HL258 · Official question

Lord Blencathra

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what contingency planning they are undertaking to mitigate the impacts of shortages of essential supplies, including fertiliser, as a result of the simultaneous impacts of the conflict in the Gulf and a super El Niño event

Answer

The UK has a resilient food supply chain. Defra is committed to monitoring risks posed by the Middle East conflict to our critical supply chains and is working closely with industry and farmers to understand potential pressures and options to mitigate any...