Sustainable Farming

Competitive bidding for forestry and woodland has seen values surge to record levels across the UK.

If food production is to reach net zero targets, policy makers need to secure fair returns for farmers by incentivising climate neutral food production.

Farmers will benefit from three income streams in future - primary food, public goods and carbon trading - and should not delay in embarking on their sustainability journey. 

Ministers from the devolved nations have called for assurances that all EU funding for the countryside will be fully replaced, after it emerged Treasury proposals would see rural budgets slashed by more than £455m.

European and UK legislation on deforestation is a ‘huge opportunity’ for Brazilian agriculture with the industry confident it can increase production and efficiency without damage to the Amazon.

Plastic collectors were looking to increase the recycling of farm plastics and showcase best practice across the industry as concerns about the use of plastic remained high on the public’s concerns on sustainability.

Farmers must decide voluntarily to engage in tree planting activities and receive fair rewards for their delivery of public goods, the NFU has said.

Defra’s former chief scientist Professor Ian Boyd has called on Government to spend as much on food research as it does on health research.  

If Scottish farmers are to address the climate emergency, they need guarantees that they will not be undercut by cheap, environmentally damaging imports from abroad, says John Finnie, Green MSP for the Highlands and Islands.

Does the farming industry choose to portray itself as a climate change victim or villain, or is it ready to embrace its role as a champion of positive and responsible action?