Food shortage fears as government urged to act on gas and fuel prices amid Russia-Ukraine war

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Government leaders are being urged to act now over fears that steep gas prices could lead to some food shortages. The National Farmers Union (NFU) says rising gas prices are hitting UK agriculture and warns it could lead to a 'very, very serious situation', following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the widespread sanctions imposed on Moscow by the west.

NFU president Minette Batters has warned that farmers could produce tens of millions fewer crops than usual as they look to cut costs. READ MORE: Russia-Ukraine LIVE updates as Biden plans Russian trade crackdown and Britons asked to house Ukrainian refugees She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I think the impact is being felt most harshly, if you like, in the protected crop sectors, so that’s aubergines, peppers, cucumbers. “We’re already seeing massive contraction because, for these businesses, really 50% of their costs are reliant on the price of gas.” Ms Batters said farmers have been 'talking about going from 80 million cucumbers to 35 million, 100 million peppers to 15 million'.

She added: “The easiest thing with these massive costs – the only thing – is to keep these glass houses empty. “It’s a very, very serious situation in that sector and this situation isn’t going to go away any time soon, so it’s about planning the future.” The NFU president also warned that wheat prices are rising 'to a place they have never been before' - with 30% of the world's wheat being produced in Russia and Ukraine - while the cost of a chicken is now '50% higher' than a year ago.

It comes as the UK was already being hit by a cost of living crisis, with rising fuel and energy bills before war broke out in Ukraine.