NEW GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCEMENT IS GOOD NEWS FOR POTATO GROWERS, BUT ENGLAND IS LAGGING BEHIND SCOTLAND AND EUROPE ON SUSTAINABILITY, SAYS CHARITY
A NEW UK Government announcement of moves to address low confidence and provide stability for growers has been welcomed by the Soil Association, which claims England has been lagging behind Scotland and Europe when it comes to supporting regenerative growing.
The recent announcement was made by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed. Soil Association Policy Director Brendan Costelloe said it’s a step in the direction to cutting imports and getting more British produce onto consumers’ plates.
“Food production in the UK is threatened by climate change, and we cannot just import from overseas as every country faces similar challenges,” he said, adding: “Farming is vulnerable, with too few farmers able to invest in making it more resilient.”
The Soil Association is particularly pleased to see a renewed commitment to a land use framework, having campaigned for the Government to introduce a target to double the land used for British fruit and veg production using nature-friendly methods, including in and around towns and cities.
The charity also welcomed plans to use the Government’s purchasing power to back UK produce, stating that British schools and hospitals should be prioritising British and organic growing.
Brendan said: “Westminster must catch up with Europe and Scotland by setting a target to increase the only certifiable form of regenerative farming. Rising demand for organic food should not be provided by imports when it could be produced by our own farmers.
“After years of uncertainty, farmers need stability so they can invest in resilient, nature-friendly food production, so we welcome the commitment to stick with the Sustainable Farming Incentives policy, and action to prevent trade deals from undercutting sustainable British farmers. We urge this new government to go further in ensuring farm support policy also helps to protect farmers from the shocks of climate change. This must involve greater support for farmers to incorporate more trees on farms and to improve soil health – both of which are essential in the face of extreme weather.”
Source: Soil Association
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