Food security comes not from growing everything yourself, but having the most diverse supply network you can maintain.
When there is increasing demand for Britain to be more self-sufficient in food production, destroying prime agricultural land with such projects is senseless.
Selaine Saxby and Julian Sturdy join a ConservativeHome Live discussion on how to develop the Rural Powerhouse.
The Environment Secretary, in charge of the seven-year transition from the Common Agricultural Policy, prefers to do good by stealth.
Our troubles will be compounded by Ministers’ import promotion policies, most pronounced in the Business, Energy and Agriculture departments.
The Government must recognise the long-term risks legislation such as this could have and how it could be weaponised by Labour.
It’s a noble ambition, but to date it has not taken proper account of the challenges facing the countryside. Time to go back to the drawing board.
New schemes will deliver on many fronts: income opportunities for farmers, a more resilient food system, and a healthy natural environment for us all.
Speed of human handling can result in severe bruising, bone fractures and dislocations as they are caught and loaded onto transport.
The Government must ensure that domestic regulation and international trade agreements help the sector go green.
There should be a growth target to complement the inflation target – to drive government departments to take actions that will promote more UK activity and jobs.
Pay is a business cost and, in reaction, profit-seeking firms will raise prices, cut worker benefits, slash services, or leave the sector if profits are squeezed.
Extending carbon pricing would serve as a constant pressure on emissions. But it won’t be enough on its own.
While we know it delivers good outcomes for biodiversity, the benefits for farmers, communities and the local economy have been less well-documented.
Building up economic resilience will be necessary for a successful response to Brexit, Covid recovery and the transition to Net Zero.