England needs greener farms to meet climate goals


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A recent government report suggests that England must convert approximately 760,000 hectares of farmland – roughly nine percent of the country’s agricultural terrain – to rewilded areas by 2050 to achieve its environmental objectives.

According to the government’s land use framework, an additional nine percent of farming land would need to implement sustainable agricultural practices to meet climate targets.

This proposed transformation could increase the United Kingdom’s dependence on international food imports, which currently account for about 40 percent of the nation’s food supply.

The framework suggests that technological advancements and innovative farming methods could offset the reduction in food production land.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed emphasized that “The primary purpose of farming will always be to produce the food that feeds the nation,” adding that the framework would help protect “our highest quality agricultural land and make decisions about the long-term future of farm businesses”.

The proposal has faced opposition from agricultural leaders. Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land and Business Association, expressed concerns about potential government overreach, warning that farmers might lose autonomy over their land management decisions.

“Whenever the state gets involved, its tendency is to only become ever more prescriptive,” Vyvyan said. “Today, the framework might be light touch, but tomorrow it won’t be.”

National Farmers Union (NFU) chief Tom Bradshaw stressed that “it’s imperative this framework does not further restrict farmers’ ability to produce the nation’s food.”

“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,” he stated.

Bradshaw advocated for establishing British food production targets comparable to environmental goals, along with trade protections to prevent unfair competition from imports produced under standards illegal in Britain.

These environmental initiatives come at a challenging time for British farmers, who are already grappling with inflation, elevated energy costs, and weather-related difficulties affecting harvests.

Adding to their concerns, Labour’s proposed elimination of inheritance tax exemptions for farms valued at £1 million or more (£2 million for married couples) has sparked widespread protests. Many farmers argue this 20 percent tax, scheduled for 2026, could force families to sell land portions to cover inheritance taxes.

This situation mirrors similar environmental conflicts in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, where EU-mandated efforts to reduce nitrogen emissions by closing 30 percent of farmland sparked significant protests. While the current Dutch government, including the pro-farmer BBB party, opposes these Brussels-directed environmental measures, the dispute continues.