The government has launched a ‘national conversation’ on its land use framework with a view to developing a new, strategic approach to land use in England.
One of the recommendations in the National Food Strategy, led by Henry Dimbleby in 2022, the consultation will run for 12 weeks and seek the views of farmers, landowners, businesses and nature groups through a series of workshops to develop the final framework.
Defra says the consultation will to give decision makers the data they need to protect the most productive agricultural land, boosting Britain’s food security in a time of global uncertainty and a changing climate.
Launching the consultation today, Defra Secretary Steve Reed set out a focus on maximising the potential of multiple uses of land – a key NFU ask – incentivising multi-functional land use that includes food production, non-food production (such as for energy) and delivering for nature, while unlocking opportunities for private finance.
Defra has also said it will also consult on how data can be used in some planning decisions to improve the resilience of our food system to the risk of flooding.
Finite land with huge demands
Responding to the news, NFU President Tom Bradshaw made the point that the UK is a “small island nation” with “huge demands being made on land including requirements for biodiversity net gain, leisure and recreation and critical national infrastructure”.
“With competition for that land ever increasing, and to deliver on the government commitment that food security is national security, we must have a land use plan in place, underpinned by sound science and evidence, that has British food at its heart and ensures we make the best use of our most productive agricultural land,” he said.
“Above all, we need transparency, engagement and a government that is willing to listen.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Defra has said the framework will use ‘the most sophisticated land use data ever published’ to help support decision-making by local government, landowners, businesses, farmers, and nature groups so they can make the most of the land.
“Our countryside needs to remain a multifunctional, dynamic space; one that creates a thriving, profitable farming industry and enables Britain’s farmers and growers to continue producing more sustainable, affordable homegrown food while carrying out important work in caring for the environment, creating more jobs and supporting greener energy security,” Tom added.
Targets for food production
The government has said the consultation is in support of its missions under its Plan for Change, which aims to deliver new housebuilding, energy infrastructure and new towns. The government has committed to build 1.5 million homes over five years, develop a ‘clean’ electricity system by 2030 as well as key nature restoration targets.
In the introduction to its consultation Defra has said: “This is not going to tell people what to do with their fields or replace the planning system.”
In a speech at the Royal Geographical Society today, Defra Secretary Steve Reed said: “We will work with farmers to shape the framework and support them in making their businesses more sustainable, productive and profitable by opening up government data.
“This framework will give decision makers the toolkit they need to protect our highest quality agricultural land.”
The NFU President reiterated that the UK needs a trade policy “with a robust system of core standards for food imports that protect farmers and consumers from imported food that would be illegal to produce here”.
“That’s why we are also asking for targets for British food production, just as the government has rightly legislated for targets on the environment.”
Industry taken a ‘battering’
Tom stressed how the past 18 months has seen the sector put under acute pressure, with volatile input costs, a reduction in direct payments, one of the wettest periods in decades, commodity prices “on the floor in some sectors” and a “brutal Budget” all leaving their mark.
“It’s imperative this framework does not further restrict farmers’ ability to produce the nation’s food,” he added while calling for the government to invest in the farming sector to help ensure its growth and see it deliver on its potential for increased productivity.
“Above all, we need transparency, engagement and a government that is willing to listen. Only then will we get a land use framework that delivers for consumers, for the environment and for British agriculture.”
The NFU will be responding to the consultation over the coming weeks, and will be ensuring its membership has the opportunity to feed back.
