THE nation would have run out of food on Friday of last week (14th) if it had eaten nothing but British food since January 1.
The day marked the NFU's "Back British Farming" day which highlighted the fact that Britain is only 62 per cent self-sufficient.
Official figures predict that by the mid-2040s the UK will be the most populous country in the EU with 77 million people. If nothing changes it would also only be 53 per cent self-sufficient.
Meurig Raymond, NFU president, said retailers, government and the British public must back British farming.
He said: "If you want great British food tomorrow, then buy great British food today."
Mr Raymond added: "Everybody should be concerned and treat this projected decline in Britain’s ability to feed itself as a wake-up call.
"Nobody would want a situation where Britain produced less than half the food it needs, we need action now to ensure that the British public – who tell us time and time again that they want to buy British – have that option in the future."
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