EXCLUSIVE - Martin Lines: "We cannot keep demanding more food at lower prices and then acting surprised when pollution increases"

The Nature Friendly Farming Network chief executive has written on the need to improve water quality in agriculture and why a food system which values environmental outcomes as much as yield is vitally important moving forward

clock • 4 min read
Martin Lines, arable farmer and chief executive at the Nature Friendly Farming Network, said: "All too frequently, small family farms are expected to shoulder the burden while large, powerful businesses carry on unchecked. We need joined-up action, bringing together water companies, housing developers, and the entire food supply chain."
Image:

Martin Lines, arable farmer and chief executive at the Nature Friendly Farming Network, said: "All too frequently, small family farms are expected to shoulder the burden while large, powerful businesses carry on unchecked. We need joined-up action, bringing together water companies, housing developers, and the entire food supply chain."

Water is essential for farming, communities and nature. However, we can no longer ignore the scale of pollution in our rivers, lakes and seas, or the significant contribution that farming makes...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Politics

EXCLUSIVE - Victoria Atkins: "The relationship between this Government and the countryside is broken"

EXCLUSIVE - Victoria Atkins: "The relationship between this Government and the countryside is broken"

Shadow Defra Secretary Victoria Akins said Defra quangos and regulators need to either be scrapped or streamlined because at present, they do not serve the best interests of farmers, the countryside and the country as a whole

Victoria Atkins
clock 12 February 2026 • 3 min read
Farmers descend on Parliament Square to call for Starmer to resign as PM

Farmers descend on Parliament Square to call for Starmer to resign as PM

Sir Keir Starmer has vowed to battle on as Prime Minister, receiving the backing of Cabinet in the process, after rumours swirled earlier this week that he would resign earlier this week

Chris Brayford
clock 11 February 2026 • 3 min read
EXCLUSIVE -  Ann Davies: "If we support locally produced food, we will import less"

EXCLUSIVE - Ann Davies: "If we support locally produced food, we will import less"

Caerfyrddin MP Ann Davies writes on the unsustainable drop in dairy prices, farmers being treated as bargaining chips in trade deals, and why maintaining British farmers' high-quality food standards must be codified into law to stop lower welfare food from entering the UK

Ann Davies
clock 11 February 2026 • 3 min read