Britain’s largest supermarket executives have issued a joint warning that wildfires and extreme weather are increasingly threatening the country’s food supplies, urging the government to take immediate action to protect food security and reduce dependence on imports. The chief executives of Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, and the Co-op have called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to introduce legally binding targets aimed at increasing the proportion of fruit and vegetables grown domestically by 2040.

The warning comes amid a backdrop of worsening climate conditions across Europe and the UK. Recent years have seen prolonged droughts, wildfires, and erratic weather patterns such as wet winters and dry springs, which have disrupted both domestic agricultural production and international supply chains. The situation has been exacerbated by wildfires in countries like France and Spain, which have damaged vast agricultural areas, rendering crops unharvestable and putting farmers’ livelihoods at risk. Meanwhile, parts of England are experiencing drought conditions following record-low rainfall and high temperatures.

The supermarket leaders emphasize that these challenges are compounded by the fact that at least half of Britain’s imported fruit and vegetables come from countries facing severe water scarcity. This reliance raises concerns about the resilience of the supply chain amid increasing extreme weather and geopolitical instability. For example, fertilizer prices have reportedly risen by 40% over the past year following supply disruptions linked to the conflict in Iran.

In their letter, which has garnered support from more than 100 organizations including major food producers such as Danone and the sandwich manufacturer Greencore, the executives stress the urgency of establishing a more resilient and sustainable food system. They propose the introduction of a Good Food Bill, which would set legal targets for domestic food production and require local authorities to create contingency plans to ensure food supplies during extreme weather events. The proposed legislation would also obligate ministers to integrate food security considerations into decisions across government sectors such as health, education, farming, planning, environment, and trade. Additionally, it would set legally binding goals to reduce childhood obesity.

Ken Murphy, Tesco’s chief executive, highlighted the pressures on the food system, noting that the combined effects of climate trends and economic challenges “reinforce the need for a food system that is both resilient and capable of delivering healthy diets.” Simon Roberts of Sainsbury’s echoed the need for investment in British agriculture to maintain affordable and nutritious food availability.

A government spokesperson responded by reaffirming the commitment to protecting national food security, emphasizing ongoing investments including a record £11.7 billion in sustainable farming and additional funding for innovation in climate-resilient crop technologies. The government stated that these efforts are intended to strengthen the country’s food system against future shocks.

The supermarket executives’ letter warns that British fruit and vegetable production has declined by 16% since 2015, with imports now accounting for 78% of supply. The signatories caution that without decisive action, Britain’s food system will face increasing vulnerability to future disruptions, underscoring that the question is not if another food shock will occur, but when.