The National Sheep Association (NSA) has said that it is frustrated with the lack of government commitment to UK agriculture and food security.
In a statement released today (Tuesday, December 13), the association also said the government is failing to recognise that agriculture is “the key to tackling climate change”.
NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker, said that British agriculture is making huge progress to tackle climate change, in many cases more than most other industries.
“We must not forget that whole agriculture accounts for 10% of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – this is emissions only and the figure takes no account of the carbon held in soil, hedgerows, shelterbelts, trees, and even wool, that is provided and created by farming,” Stocker said.
“Farms could do so much more with the right incentives, to reduce methane emissions, and further reduce reliance on fossil fuel based inputs.
“We could also massively increase carbon sequestration opportunities in and around farmland but this does require financial incentives and reward because at the moment many of these things either cost or reduce the output of the farm.”
‘A lack of commitment’
Stocker said that the agriculture industry is seeing “time and time again, a lack of commitment from the British government and support”.
“We must make farming and food security a priority for the health of the nation but also as a key component in tackling climate change,” he said.
“Rishi Sunak’s government must begin to deliver on promises made in August this year.
“The wider industry is tackling huge supply chain volatility, extreme spikes in input costs, and crippling regulation along with labour shortages that have been ongoing since Brexit.
“NSA is urging the government to move into action now or risk crippling the industry that feeds the nation for good.”
