Defra secretary of state Steve Reed has promised farmers the government will “maintain long-term food security” and “protect our highest quality agricultural land”, as he announced the start of a 12 week consultation on land use in England.
The resulting Land Use Framework will provide the principles, advanced data and tools to support decision-making by local government, landowners, businesses, farmers, and nature groups to make the most of land, Reed said.
This framework will help deliver different objectives for England’s finite land, including growing food, building 1.5 million homes this parliament, and restoring nature.
As part of a national conversation, there will be workshops across the country, bringing farmers and landowners together to help develop a final Land Use Framework.
“The primary purpose of farming will always be to produce the food that feeds the nation,” said Reed. “I know from conversations with farmers and landowners that they not only understand the need for change, they are already making change happen.
“They know their land best, and it is only right that they lead this transition.
“We can make the most of food production, nature’s restoration and economic growth if we support farmers and landowners with better information to help them navigate their way into the future.
“Bringing together farmers, landowners, businesses, planners – everyone involved in how we use our land.
“We’ll be asking for your views on a future vision for the land, what our policies on land use need to include, and what you need to realise that vision.”