The U.K. can't grow enough food.

[boarderbloke]

They only grow 60% of what they use.

<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2718548/We-d-hungry-today-ate-British-food-Nation-run-things-eat-August-7-year-ditched-reliance-imports.html"target=blank>British Food Shortage</a>

Hedgey, any truth in this? Will big subsidies be on the way again in the near future?

[grassfarmer]

No surprise here - they've been heading that way for a long time. The further they get from WW2 memories the easier it becomes. It's the global market, don't worry - be happy we don't have room for agriculture here attitude.
By the what do you mean "will big subsidies be on the way again"? they never went away, lol

[Hopalong]

The land we presently farm was opened up to produce wheat and cattle for export to Britain.
Two world wars cut off exports but otherwise trade in grains was a good thing for both countries.
About the only good reason for striving for self sufficiency is expectation of another war.