The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is ready to announce that Britain must produce more food or else run the risk of running short of food within the next two decades.

Defra believe that the rise of global warming, shortages in fish stocks and a rise in the population will see Britain struggle to cope in feeding its inhabitants sooner rather than later unless steps are taken.

These steps will include:

• Food packaging should be clearly labelled with the foods country of origin, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about the food they eat.
• People will have to accept genetically modified (GM) foods

The government commissioned report, named Food 2030, will state that current food production will need to reform to meet growing demands. The report will also suggest that the food producing companies prepare themselves for sudden shocks impacting on their industry, such as more natural disasters and fuel shortages.

The strategy to be announced in the week beginning 4th January, 2010, will also suggest new ways to tackle rising obesity levels as well as ways to encourage families to throw out less food.