The potential of biodynamic farming to respond to the current crises in UK food and farming systems

Summary in the original language of the document

The UK’s self-reliance in food production and supply has been slowly decreasing since 1980 (Lang, 2020) and is being further affected by Covid-19 and Brexit (Moran et al.,2020). Biodynamic farming aims to achieve resilience and regeneration, therefore has the potential to address the problems facing the UK food and farming systems. The UK has the second highest level of food insecurity within Europe (WHO, 2018). As a result of Covid-19, it is estimated that there was a quadrupling in levels of food insecurity as a result of panic buying and economic impacts (Loopstra, 2020). Biodynamic farmers can form partnerships with local communities who are at higher risk from food insecurity in the form of community supported agriculture to allow individuals to benefit from the production, rewards and responsibilities associated with the production of food (Biodynamic Association UK (BA), n.d.) and try to reduce the current disparities within the UK food system. With food insecurity comes dietary related illnesses (Lang et al., 2018). Biodynamic farmed produce have been proven to provide a range of health benefits including a reduction in allergic reactions (BA ,n.d.) and the supply of greater quantities of nutrients including vitamin C (Crinnion, 2020), iron and magnesium (Larion, 2009). By improving the health of individuals, wider benefits may be seen when looking at the strain currently experienced by the health services. Biodynamic farming techniques can enhance the fertility of soil (Fliessbach et al., 2000), therefore by implementing such techniques, the UK can continue to produce food for an extended period of time, increasing its resilience. Biodynamic farming focusses on each farm being self-sustaining, consequently, adopting these methods can reduce the reliance on imports of food from different countries, which has the potential to be affected by Brexit and border challenges (Lang et al., 2018). The UK has a 20-year vision on antimicrobial resilience which can be achieved using biodynamic farming due to their view of using antibiotics only in cases of preventing suffering of livestock (BA, n.d.). Furthermore, this enhances the health of the animals which can ensure their efficacy for future generations, thus providing a steady supply of food. Biodynamic farming techniques can be adopted as a response to the many challenges currently facing the UK food and farming systems whilst providing wider economic and environmental benefits.