NFU Sugar sector resilience plan
Sugar beet growers have already adopted practices that reduce the GHG (greenhouse gas) of sugar beet production.
NFU Sugar Board chair Kit Papworth
Kit is a director of LF Papworth Ltd and Tuttington Farms Ltd. LF Papworth Ltd is a contract farming business based near Aylsham in Norfolk farming 1250 hectares on behalf of over 20 different landowners. Kit joined the NFU Sugar Board in 2020 and has covered various briefs including Red Tractor, BBRO Stakeholder Committee and contract negotiation.
“NFU Sugar is committed to recognising the climate-friendly practices that sugar beet growers have already adopted and helping them to reduce the GHG (greenhouse gas) footprint of sugar beet production further.
“Sugar beet growers themselves are responsible for just a third of the GHG footprint of end-product sugar (two-thirds of emissions are derived from transport and processing). Nevertheless, they have been working hard with the grower/ industry-funded BBRO (British Beet Research Organisation) to stay ahead of the game.
“Sugar beet yields have already increased by over 20% in the last 15 years, representing enhanced resource use efficiency in real terms. Sugar beet factories employ a zero-waste approach meaning less than 200 grams of waste for every tonne of sugar produced.
“Growers’ two largest sources of GHG emissions are from the use of artificial nitrogen fertilisers, and the burning of diesel by farm machinery.
“We are already working hard with the supply chain to fund innovative programmes to target these emissions.”
“We are also committed to better understanding the interaction between sugar beet cultivation and GHG emissions through carbon flux towers in partnership with the BBRO.
“NFU Sugar is committed to achieving net zero emissions from cultivation by 2040.”
NFU Sugar Board chair Kit Papworth
Achievements
NFU Sugar are looking at tackling emissions from sugar production in multiple ways.
The British Beet Research Organisation (BBRO) is leading the sector’s efforts to better understand its environmental footprint and the environmental and yield implications of ‘lower carbon’ actions which might be taken on farm.
Its Carbon Flux Tower Project is measuring carbon emissions from the soil and crop as well as uptake by the sugar beet.
Simultaneously, NFU Sugar is working with the wider supply chain to unlock funding for innovative programmes to support growers to reduce the emissions associated with sugar beet production. Recently, an N-placement pilot scheme, delivered in partnership with the LENs (Landscape Enterprise Network), offered sugar beet growers the opportunity to sell environmental services to downstream supply chain partners, allowing manufacturers of goods containing homegrown sugar to invest directly in the environmental sustainability of their raw materials.
Such projects are done in accordance with NFU Sugar’s Enabling Principles for delivering net zero in the sugar sector:
- Projects should help the industry meet its sustainability targets and move towards net zero.
- Projects should only reference activities that relate to the growing and supply of sugar beet.
- Projects should ensure any value-added as a result of a practice or investment should accrue to those that carried it out.
- Projects should allow a grower to choose whether to carry out any additional activities in return for any value generated.
- Projects should recognise that a grower’s data remains their own intellectual property.
Policy wins
NFU Sugar has been proud to contribute to the delivery of a number of NFU policy wins on behalf of growers, all towards securing a supportive regulatory environment for the sector’s journey towards resilience and net zero. Notable wins include:
- Passage of the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act.
- Expansion of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund.
- Emergency Authorisation for necessary plant protection controls.
Funding within SFI
Many of the actions that the NFU has been calling for are now included within the Sustainable Farming Incentive. To find the SFI actions that best suit your farm visit GOV.UK Find funding for land or farms.
Check out the latest guidance from our experts
NFU Sugar sector priorities
Our priorities have been based on our sustainability pillars and look at the benefits of adopting climate-friendly farming, the barriers that we might face, and the NFU asks.
Pillar 1 – On-farm efficiency
Yield enhancement
Member opportunities
- Higher crop efficiency and improved margins.
- Lower input cost per tonne of production.
Barriers
- Limitations of existing breeding techniques.
- Limitations of existing plant assessment protocols.
- Plant protection policy and a shrinking grower toolbox.
- Regulation of novel interventions/controls.
NFU asks
- Quickly and decisively bring forward the secondary legislation needed to implement the Genetic Technology (Precision Breeding) Act 2023.
- Funding for farmer–led/industry-led research, innovation & cooperation.
- Fit-for-purpose plant protection protocols.
- Proportionate and risk-based approach to existing plant protection product assessment and renewal.
- A new NAP (National Action Plan) that facilitates timely and pragmatic decision making on plant protection.
- A pragmatic approach to trials permits and novel plant protection approaches.
Precision inputs
Member opportunities
- Reduced input requirements.
- Higher crop efficiency and improved margins.
- Lower nitrogen cost per tonne produced.
Barriers
- Capital cost and availability of precision application and placement technology.
- Empirical evidence to provide confidence in adoption.
- Lack of technical support.
- Additional labour requirement of keeping hopper filled.
- Time cost of nutrient assessment.
NFU asks
- Capital grants for suitable machinery and technology.
- Government support for industry research and tailored advice (BBRO).
- A new NAP that facilitates timely and pragmatic decision making on plant protection.
Alternative inputs
Member opportunities
- Lower GHG footprint.
Barriers
- Availability of low carbon/green fertilisers.
- Cost of low carbon artificial fertilisers.
- Availability of muck/manure/slurry/sludge.
- Nutrient content and cost of organic fertilisers vs reward of application.
NFU asks
- Incentivise adoption and use of low carbon fertilisers.
- Subsidised nutrient testing for organic fertilisers.
- Formalised marketplace for exchange and trading of organic fertilisers.
Reduced fuel use
Member opportunities
- Lower GHG footprint.
Barriers
- Lack of empirical evidence to provide confidence in adoption.
- Lack of technical support.
- Many approaches inapplicable on certain land types.
NFU asks
- Government support for industry research and tailored advice (BBRO).
- ELMs support for strip-tillage to support transition to reduced tillage techniques.
- Capital grant support for suitable machinery and technology.
GHG audit support
Member opportunities
- Help prepare for reporting on Scope 3 emissions.
- Drive efficiencies on farm.
- Ability to baseline and track progress.
Barriers
- Different GHG calculators offer different results.
- Farmers often don’t know where or how to start.
- Time-consuming.
- Difficulty in interpreting the results.
NFU asks
- SFI action to carry out audit, with support and advice, to identify emissions hotspots and understand actions to take.
Pillar 2 – Nature-based solutions
Reduced soil-based emissions
Member opportunities
- Higher yielding soils.
- Stronger planting base
- Lower diesel costs and less wear on metal.
- Higher yield potential for the following crop.
Barriers
- Weather extremes and changing climate.
- Cost of technology and machinery.
- Lack of evidence of applicability/viability in root crops.
- Lack of technical support.
NFU asks
- Capital grant support for suitable min-till and compaction machinery and technology.
- Government support for industry research and tailored advice (BBRO).
Pillar 3 – Agriculture serving the wider economy
Alternative fuels
Member opportunities
- Reduced GHG emissions.
- Energy independence.
- Reduced energy costs.
- Diversified income stream.
Barriers
- Cost and availability of alternative fuels.
- Inapplicability of batteries for sugar beet harvesting machinery.
- Grid capacity and charging availability.
- Technological limitations.
NFU asks
- Financial support for sector specific innovation, distribution and adoption of renewable fuels.
- Upgraded grid capacity to facilitate the generation of and access to alternative fuels.
Sugar emissions profile
It’s important to know where the main GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions come from in our sector and understand what is under our control, in the short- and medium-term.
Source: Carbon Trust 2020
Remember, these graphs are general illustrations.
The emissions profile will vary driven by factors like farm, climate, soils, economics and market demands.
These GHG footprints include the embedded emissions of all inputs used by the sector. These include items that can be outside the control of farming and may fall outside the agricultural inventory.
Source: Carbon Trust 2020
The NFU Sugar Board is here to help
If you have already made strides into your road to resilience, or if you are just beginning on your journey and you'd like to look at possible options for your business, we may be able to help.
Glossary
- BBRO – British Beet Research Organisation
- GHG – Greenhouse gas
- LENs – Landscape Enterprise Network
- NAP – National Action Plan
- SFI – Sustainable Farming Incentive
Find out more
We want to help you find the right resources for your farming business and support you on your net zero journey.
Visit Climate-friendly farming, building business resilience
Sector resilience plans
Built with Shorthand