Oxfordshire farmer warns growing food is very high risk

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 06:05 · Archive

An Oxfordshire farmer has told MPs that growing food is now a very high-risk business amid concerns over UK food security.

Harry Metcalfe, a 67-year-old arable farmer based near Burford in Oxfordshire, has warned that growing food is now a very high-risk business. Giving evidence to the Commons on the resilience of the UK's food supply, he questioned whether those in power understand the risks farmers face each year and whether farmers can continue to provide food.

Mr Metcalfe described cashflow as a disaster for farms in the region. He explained that as an arable farmer, he has already committed to his 2027 harvest, with all crops in the ground and 74 per cent of costs already incurred. He is then reliant on weather and other factors beyond his control to complete the harvest.

Mr Metcalfe said 2025 was his worst harvest since 1984, while 2026 was only adequate enough to make up losses from the previous year. He questioned why he should continue growing food when it is such a high-risk activity, saying he needs a successful 2027 harvest before he can invest further in the farm. He is also a presenter of Harry's Farm on YouTube.

How it is being reported

• Farmer warns growing food is ‘very high risk’ amid UK food security concernsAn Oxfordshire Cotswolds farmer has labelled growing food as a "very high risk" job amid concerns over the UK's food security.Oxford Mail · 14 Oct, 05:00
• Farmer warns growing food is ‘very high risk’ amid UK food security concernsAn Oxfordshire Cotswolds farmer has labelled growing food as a "very high risk" job amid concerns over the UK's food security.Oxfordshire Guardian · 14 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Harry Metcalfe · Oxfordshire · UK Parliament

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