Tenth of British farmland comes under threat in push for ‘net zero’ – as Labour launches plan for more solar panels, reservoirs, woodlands and new towns_Nhy
A tenth of British farmland is set to come under threat under Labour’s new nature plan in a bid to reach ‘net zero’ by 2050.
The agricultural land could make way for solar farms, reservoirs, woodlands, tree planting, and building new towns.
Labour’s plans to ditch sections of the land in order to meet green targets are likely to infuriate farmers further who have already been left outraged by the Government’s inheritance tax raid.
They will be unveiled as part of a consultation being launched today by Environment Secretary Steve Reed on how to better manage the country’s landscape for food production, meeting net zero targets, and building new homes.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has estimated, according to the Telegraph, that food production would need to be stopped on nine per cent of agricultural land by 2050 in order to meet targets.
The newspaper reported a reduction in food output will cause a further five per cent to be lost, while four per cent will share its area with trees.
However, a government spokesman has insisted the framework will not tell anyone what to do with their land.
‘Instead, it will be the most sophisticated data ever published on land use options so farmers and landowners can make better decisions for themselves on how to get the most out of their land and boost their profits,’ they said.
Under the plans, the highest quality agricultural land will remain protected for food production, the Government said.
A tenth of agricultural land could make way for solar farms, reservoirs, woodlands, tree planting, and building new towns
Farmers take part in a protest outside Siemens Healthineers in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, against changes to inheritance tax — January 29, 2025
Environment Secretary Steve Reed will launch a land use framework consultation on how to better manage the country’s landscape for food production, meeting net zero targets, and building new homes
But ministers will also look into how and where land can be used for other needs such as solar farms, reservoirs, roads, new woodlands and new towns.
With land use long seen as a sensitive and politically thorny issue, the Environment Secretary will insist that the framework ‘will not tell people what to do’.
During a speech at the Royal Geographical Society today, Mr Reed is expected to announce the ‘start of a national conversation’ on how the country can meet multiple land objectives and contribute to the wider pursuit of economic growth.
Mr Reed will set out the new policy as a strategic approach to meeting national targets on water, nature and climate as well as shoring up food security and boosting the economy.
Mr Reed recently sought to reset relations with farmers after proposed changes to inheritance tax became a political flashpoint for an industry crippled by rising costs, tough market conditions and worsening climate impacts.
With the framework proposals likely to see pushback from some in the farming sector, Mr Reed will reiterate his message that food production remains a priority.
‘The primary purpose of farming will always be to produce food that feeds the nation,’ he is set to say.
‘This framework will give decision makers the toolkit they need to protect our highest quality agricultural land.’
As part of the consultation, the Government will hold workshops with farmers, landowners and other stakeholders across the country over the next few weeks.
Interested groups will be asked about the best ways to incentivise and deliver the shift of agriculturally unproductive land towards diverse purposes.
Alongside draft proposals, the Government will publish data on how England’s land is currently used as well as modelling what future land use may look like.
Farmers gather in tractors at the Maze site close to Lisburn, Co Antrim for one of seven protest tractor runs across Northern Ireland — January 25, 2025
Members of the Ulster Farmers’ Union take part in a protest on the streets of Derry/Londonderry as part of the National Farmers’ Day of Unity — January 25, 2025
A farmer holds up a sign during a protest outside the Siemens Healthineers in Eynsham, Oxfordshire — January 29, 2025
Tractors gather at Selby Livestock Auction Mart ahead of parading on a route around Selby as part of the National Farmers’ Day of Unity — January 25, 2025
This will help to support decision-making by local government, landowners, businesses, farmers and nature groups to make the most of England’s limited land, it said.
‘It’s time for policy to leave the chambers of Westminster and reflect the actual lived experiences of farmers, landowners and planners on the ground,’ Mr Reed will say.
Ahead of the speech, Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: ‘This new approach will make better use of our land and grasp the opportunities to deliver new homes and infrastructure in the areas most in need, achieving win-win results for both development and the environment.’
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: ‘The biggest threat to nature and food security is the climate crisis, which threatens our best farmland, food production and the livelihoods of farmers.
‘As we deliver our mission for the UK to become a clean energy superpower as part of the Plan for Change, we will ensure a proper balance between food security, nature preservation and clean energy.’
After the consultation, the Government will continue extensive sector engagement to design the final land use framework.
