The Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) has welcomed the opportunity to respond to the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) ‘new approach to land use’.
On Friday, January 31, Defra launched a consultation for a new approach to land use.
It hopes to give decision-makers the toolkit to protect the most productive agricultural land and boost food security.
The department has said that it will support the government’s missions under the Plan for Change, including delivering new housebuilding, energy infrastructure, and new towns.
Land Use Review
The AHDB said it has undertaken considerable analysis and added crucial insight into the new agricultural policy in England.
That analysis includes the potential impact that current policy will have on agricultural land use, farm business incomes, and sustainability.
The plan is set to use data on how land is used, in the hope of supporting economic growth by building 1.5 million homes, delivering critical infrastructure, securing clean power, protecting farmland, and restoring the natural world.
The analysis also suggested a range of 1-9% of a reduction in land use for agricultural needs should be carefully examined.
AHDB said there will need to be “careful consideration of the longer-term effect upon food security and the potential financial impact on farmers”.
They believe the balance of incentivising food production with creating a vibrant environment is a key challenge,
The government said its framework will help farm businesses to maximise the potential of multiple uses of land, supporting long-term food production capacity and unlocking opportunities for businesses to drive private finance into the sector.
AHDB
AHDB is an evidence-based statutory levy board funded by farmers and others in the supply chain. It was established in 2008 and is classified as a non-departmental public body.
The board said it is “ready to play its part in ensuring levy payers views are heard and clear independent evidence is used to assess the potential impact of proposed policy changes”.
