The Government’s launch of a consultation on the land use framework has met a cool response from farming organisations.
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) suggested that what starts as a ‘light touch’ often ends with something that is far more prescriptive. “The Government must build safeguards into the policy to prevent mission creep, or else it is entirely possible that in years to come, the man from the Ministry will be telling farmers what they are and aren’t allowed to grow, plant and rear on their land,” said president Victoria Vyvyan.
The CLA says land managers are in the best position to know what is right for their land and business and should be central to the delivery of the government’s policies for climate, nature, food security, housing and energy. “A land use framework must not stifle farming or environmental innovation, or prevent rural development and business diversification.
“To be most effective, the framework should remain separate from planning policy, with links made through the Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) currently being developed across the country. It will achieve the best outcomes by collaborating with land managers to provide economically viable options for land use.
“The review needs to be evidence-based and focus on improving existing processes so that it encourages but does not prescribe change,” Victoria added,
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The UK is a small island nation and there are huge demands being made on land including housebuilding, 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.
“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.
“Alongside, we need a trade policy to match this ambition 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.
“To ensure farming, as the sector that provides the raw ingredients to the nation’s largest manufacturing sector, food and drink, which is worth more than £140 billion to the nation’s economy, continues to contribute to this government’s economic growth ambitions, we need investment. Investment to grow the farming sector 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.
“We will of course examine the government consultation in detail once it is available and ensure the 44,000 farmer and grower members of the NFU have the opportunity to feed back.”
