The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to international shipping. An average of 129 ships travelled through the Strait during February. This number dramatically dropped to 4 by the beginning of March. Despite positive signals from President Trump that a peaceful resolution to reopen this vital shipping route might be imminent, it is likely that the effects of disruption will last for several months even when the Strait reopens. This blog argues that the disruption to international shipping has consequences for the UK beyond its impact on rising energy prices. The blockade also affects UK food security by disrupting fertiliser trade. One way to address such problems for the future is by incorporating more comprehensive export restrictions rules and sustainable food systems chapters into the UK’s new free trade agreements. The UK also has an opportunity to show global leadership by building a consensus among countries to limit the use of export restrictions during the current crisis. In doing so, it can ease the impacts on vulnerable people in least-developed countries. The Gulf conflict restricts trade in fertilisers Fertilisers are a key input into global food production. They renew essential nutrients in the soil, like nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium and potassium, [...]