Food production needs to hard-wired back into ag policy, Efra Committee Chair says

Is there enough emphasis placed on food production's role in supporting not only nature restoration, but flood management, climate change mitigation and food security?

Chris Brayford
clock • 3 min read
Efra Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael said: "One of the big difficulties we have with agricultural policy in this country, especially in England but not exclusively in England, we have sent food production and nature restoration, and flood management and climate change mitigation and all the rest of it, as being set up against each other, when they are absolutely not. If we are going to see long-term security for this industry and for food security in this country, then getting food production hard-wired back into agricultural policy is going to be absolutely critical."
Image:

Efra Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael said: "One of the big difficulties we have with agricultural policy in this country, especially in England but not exclusively in England, we have sent food production and nature restoration, and flood management and climate change mitigation and all the rest of it, as being set up against each other, when they are absolutely not. If we are going to see long-term security for this industry and for food security in this country, then getting food production hard-wired back into agricultural policy is going to be absolutely critical."

The foundation of agricultural policy must be built on a solid foundation of producing food for the nation, with a farming MP having argued that it has been seen as distinctive from the UK's environmental...

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

'Price controls always hit farmers first' - industry warns of impact of proposed Scottish food price caps

'Price controls always hit farmers first' - industry warns of impact of proposed Scottish food price caps

SNP leader John Swinney has been criticised after proposing a statutory limit on the price of some food items

Alex Black
clock 17 April 2026 • 2 min read
OPINION - Iran war: UK is not prepared for food shortages

OPINION - Iran war: UK is not prepared for food shortages

At a time when UK farmers are facing increasing pressure from a conflict taking place thousands of miles from British shores, the Government has been challenged to step up and support food producers before it is too late

Chris Brayford
clock 17 April 2026 • 2 min read
Iran war: Pig farmers could face 'cliff edge' if CO2 is restricted

Iran war: Pig farmers could face 'cliff edge' if CO2 is restricted

NPA said at a time when inputs are rising and the price of pork is dropping, additional pressure on the supply chain could leave pig producers facing an uncertain future

Chris Brayford
clock 17 April 2026 • 3 min read