Nearly a tenth of England’s agricultural land will need to be converted into forests and natural habitats by 2050 to abide with the government’s environmental and climate goals.
The target was outlined in a report launched by Environment Secretary Steve Reed, aimed at balancing food security, ecological restoration, and infrastructure needs. projections from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) show that nearly 20 percent of the UK's farmland will have to undergo some form of transformation to meet environmental commitments, but the agency insists that advancements in farming efficiency can sustain current food production levels despite the land conversion, reports the BBC.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch slammed the Kier Starmer Labour government's approach, accusing them of “adding even more burdens on farmers" who are already going through hardship.
The Land Use Framework, initially proposed in the 2021 Dimbleby Review on a National Food Strategy, was meant to be published in 2023 but has faced delays. The framework is intended to guide regulations and incentives for farmers, ensuring that land use decisions support food production, environmental recovery, and national development goals.
On Friday, Labour launched a consultation inviting input on how best to manage land use in England while maintaining food security. Defra showed that a structured framework would reduce the likelihood of prime farmland being lost to housing projects or energy developments. Currently, around 70 percent England’s land is dedicated to agriculture.
Government analysis estimates that 1.6 million hectares of farmland must be "repurposed" to achieve legally binding climate and environmental targets. This includes:
1 percent making minor modifications, such as adding herb strips along field margins.
4 percent integrating trees into existing farming operations.
5 percent transitioning to a mixed-use model, preserving some food production while prioritizing ecological benefits.
9 percent being removed from agriculture entirely to facilitate woodland expansion and wildlife conservation.
Defra maintains that improvements in agricultural productivity will counterbalance the impact of these changes on domestic food supply. National Farmers Union President Tom Bradshaw welcomed the consultation but stressed that food security must remain a priority. "Food security is national security," he stated.
According to 2023 Defra figures, the UK currently produces 62 percent of its own food, a decline from 78 percent in 1984. If domestic output falls further, England may need to increase food imports, heightening vulnerability to global price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.
The report claims that England is among the most nature-depleted countries in the world, citing unsustainable farming practices and climate change as primary contributors to soil degradation and water pollution. The proposed changes aim to expand woodland coverage to 16.5 percent of England’s land and restore 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitats.
Badenoch, visiting a farm in Cheshire, reiterated her concerns, stating, “We are adding even more burdens on farmers" and accused the government of harming the agricultural sector through policies such as “the family farm tax, the family business tax, and the rise in national insurance.” Badenoch argued that prioritizing net-zero targets over farming showed Labour was “not serious” about supporting farmers.
The target was outlined in a report launched by Environment Secretary Steve Reed, aimed at balancing food security, ecological restoration, and infrastructure needs. projections from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) show that nearly 20 percent of the UK's farmland will have to undergo some form of transformation to meet environmental commitments, but the agency insists that advancements in farming efficiency can sustain current food production levels despite the land conversion, reports the BBC.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch slammed the Kier Starmer Labour government's approach, accusing them of “adding even more burdens on farmers" who are already going through hardship.
The Land Use Framework, initially proposed in the 2021 Dimbleby Review on a National Food Strategy, was meant to be published in 2023 but has faced delays. The framework is intended to guide regulations and incentives for farmers, ensuring that land use decisions support food production, environmental recovery, and national development goals.
On Friday, Labour launched a consultation inviting input on how best to manage land use in England while maintaining food security. Defra showed that a structured framework would reduce the likelihood of prime farmland being lost to housing projects or energy developments. Currently, around 70 percent England’s land is dedicated to agriculture.
Government analysis estimates that 1.6 million hectares of farmland must be "repurposed" to achieve legally binding climate and environmental targets. This includes:
1 percent making minor modifications, such as adding herb strips along field margins.
4 percent integrating trees into existing farming operations.
5 percent transitioning to a mixed-use model, preserving some food production while prioritizing ecological benefits.
9 percent being removed from agriculture entirely to facilitate woodland expansion and wildlife conservation.
Defra maintains that improvements in agricultural productivity will counterbalance the impact of these changes on domestic food supply. National Farmers Union President Tom Bradshaw welcomed the consultation but stressed that food security must remain a priority. "Food security is national security," he stated.
According to 2023 Defra figures, the UK currently produces 62 percent of its own food, a decline from 78 percent in 1984. If domestic output falls further, England may need to increase food imports, heightening vulnerability to global price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions.
The report claims that England is among the most nature-depleted countries in the world, citing unsustainable farming practices and climate change as primary contributors to soil degradation and water pollution. The proposed changes aim to expand woodland coverage to 16.5 percent of England’s land and restore 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitats.
Badenoch, visiting a farm in Cheshire, reiterated her concerns, stating, “We are adding even more burdens on farmers" and accused the government of harming the agricultural sector through policies such as “the family farm tax, the family business tax, and the rise in national insurance.” Badenoch argued that prioritizing net-zero targets over farming showed Labour was “not serious” about supporting farmers.
