Poultry Growth Plan Risks UK National Security, Campaigners Warn 2026

Daniel Harrolds

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The government's planned poultry sector growth plan poses a risk to UK national security, according to campaigners. Environment secretary Emma Reynolds recently told the Groundswell agriculture festival that boosting homegrown produce is key to food security, leading to the creation of the Farming and Food Partnership Board. However, critics argue that intensive poultry farming undermines rather than strengthens national resilience.

Why the Poultry Growth Plan Threatens National Security

Ruth Westcott, campaign manager at Sustain, warns that intensive poultry farming is highly resource-intensive and polluting. “It can never be a solution to food security,” she stated. The reliance on imported soy for animal feed—18% of produced feed comes from South America—directly links UK poultry production to deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, as highlighted by Maya Pardo of Communities Against Factory Farming (CAFF).

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Environmental and Economic Costs

Expanding poultry farms requires significant water and energy resources, while generating pollution that affects local communities. The government’s own national security assessment admits that current animal farming levels are unsustainable without imports. This dependency creates vulnerabilities in supply chains, especially during geopolitical disruptions.

Factor	Intensive Poultry	Sustainable Alternatives
Feed source	Imported soy (deforestation risk)	Locally grown pulses, legumes
Water usage	High per kg protein	Low per kg protein
Pollution	High (manure, emissions)	Minimal
Food security impact	Increases import dependency	Reduces import dependency

Campaigners Call for Shift to Plant-Based Proteins

Sustain and CAFF are urging the government to abandon the poultry growth plan and instead invest in homegrown protein sources like pulses, legumes, nuts, and beans. These alternatives require fewer resources, produce less pollution, and enhance food sovereignty. “We need to use different levers of the state,” Reynolds said, but critics argue the current direction misses the mark.

Key Takeaways

Intensive poultry farming increases reliance on imported feed, threatening national security.
Environmental costs include water pollution, air quality issues, and Amazon deforestation.
Sustainable protein sources like pulses and legumes offer a more resilient alternative.
Campaigners demand the government scrap the poultry growth plan immediately.

FAQ

How does the poultry growth plan affect UK national security?

The plan increases dependency on imported soy for animal feed, creating supply chain vulnerabilities. This reliance undermines food sovereignty and national resilience, as highlighted by the government's own security assessment.

What are the environmental risks of intensive poultry farming?

Intensive poultry farming leads to water pollution from manure runoff, air quality degradation, and high greenhouse gas emissions. It also drives deforestation in South America for soy production.

What alternatives do campaigners propose?

Campaigners recommend shifting to homegrown protein sources such as pulses, legumes, nuts, and beans. These are more sustainable, reduce import dependency, and support local agriculture.

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Author

Daniel Harrolds

With a career spanning four decades, Daniel is almost a library in the field of precious metals investing and Gold IRAs. His insightful strategies and pragmatic results-oriented approach make him a resource in safeguarding wealth, and financial foresight.

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