UK Poultry Growth Plan Risks National Security, Campaigners Warn 2026

The UK government's planned poultry sector growth plan risks national security, according to campaigners who warn that intensive farming cannot ensure long-term food security. Environment secretary Emma Reynolds recently promoted homegrown produce as a key to food security, but critics argue that relying on intensive poultry farming is unsustainable and dangerous.

Why the Poultry Growth Plan Raises Security Concerns

Ruth Westcott, campaign manager at Sustain, stated that the plan to produce more UK poultry is a risk to UK food security, not a solution. Intensive poultry farming is highly resource-intensive, polluting, and inefficient, she explained. The government's own national security assessment warns that animal farming at current levels is unsustainable without imports, particularly soy from South America, which makes up 18% of produced animal feed.

Environmental and Economic Impacts

Campaign groups like Sustain and Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF) are calling on the government to abandon the poultry growth plan. Instead, they advocate for homegrown sources of protein such as pulses, legumes, nuts, and beans. Maya Pardo, campaign lead at CAFF, highlighted that importing soy for feed destroys the Amazon rainforest and undermines UK self-sufficiency.

Key Takeaways from the Debate

• Intensive poultry farming threatens UK food security due to import reliance and environmental damage.
• Campaigners urge a shift to plant-based proteins like pulses and legumes.
• Planning rule changes for factory farms face strong local and environmental opposition.
• The government's own security assessment warns against current animal farming levels.

FAQ

The debate underscores a critical tension between boosting domestic food production and ensuring genuine long-term food security. As the government revises planning rules, the call for a more sustainable approach grows louder.