Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Twitter LinkedIn
    • FREE Email Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Magazine Subscriptions
    Twitter LinkedIn
    Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    • News
      • Arable & Agronomy
      • Dealership News
      • Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy
      • Event News
      • Health & Safety
      • Machinery
      • People
      • World News
    • Farm Machinery
      • Amenity & Maintenance
      • Cultivations
      • Drilling
      • Grassland Equipment
      • Harvesting
      • Muck & Slurry
      • Sprayers
      • Telehandlers
      • Tractors
      • Tractor of the Year
      • Tyres & Tracks
    • Precision Farming
    • Markets & Policy
    • Profiles
      • Company Profiles
      • Reader Profiles
    • Livestock
      • Beef
      • Dairy
      • Sheep
    • Magazines
      1. March 2023
      2. February 2023
      3. National Arable & Grassland Awards Supplement
      4. January 2023
      Featured

      March 2023 Issue

      By Matthew TiltMarch 2, 2023
      Recent

      March 2023 Issue

      March 2, 2023

      National Arable & Grassland Awards 2023 Supplement

      January 26, 2023

      February 2023 Issue

      January 25, 2023
    • Events
    • Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy

    Greater action is required to prevent irreversible outcomes for UK farming

    Matthew TiltBy Matthew TiltOctober 28, 20214 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Peatland (Rhys Evans)

    A new report from the Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) has revealed key areas for on-farm action to restore farming’s landscapes and lessen the impact of climate change. It’s said that farmers need to urgently scale and pace the adoption of nature-based solutions for addressing climate change and biodiversity losses or they will face an uncertain future.

    The Rethink Farming report presents evidence that farming with nature will restore natural assets and improve resilience to a warming world. It uses 18 case studies to reveal how farmer-led innovation and nature-based solutions can positively impact businesses.

    Highlighted are practical on-farm actions for restoring the environment so that farming can weather the worst of increasing climate shocks. The report also argues that continued deterioration will impact the livelihoods of farmers if the sector doesn’t transition to regenerative practices.

    It concludes that farming with nature can maximise returns, offer viability in changing markets, increase profitability through reduce inputs and ensure a more adaptable landscape.

    The NFFN is calling for greater ambition from the government in elevating the key role farming plays in delivery for net-zero and calls for more action across farm holdings to prevent irreversible outcomes if the trajectory of climate change continues.

    Martin Lines, chair, Nature Friendly Farming Network, said: “It’s in farmers’ best interests to start acting on climate change and natural recovery, so we are in a good place for maximising opportunities for funding for public goods, and further down the line, to capitalise on returns from private markets.

    “We know that farming is contributing to ecological disruption. And the science is clear – we have 10 years to avoid the worst effects of the climate emergency. Simple solutions can have the greatest impact in preparing farming for what’s to come.

    Slade Farm sheep

    “We have a moral obligation to act on this after decades of intensification have contributed to the challenges we face. It’s not just farmers, it’s everyone. What are we waiting for?”

    The report additionally includes research from 726 of the NFFN’s public and farmer members, revealing overwhelming concern about how climate change and biodiversity losses will affect UK farmers.

    • 92% are concerned about the effects of climate change on their business, with 80% concerned about biodiversity losses
    • 97% of farmers think consumers need to be better educated about the value of natural assets on farms, including how successful management of natural capital is a public benefit
    • Over 90% believe food labels should clearly identify production measures
    • 71% do not think the industry is currently equipped to deal with the challenges of climate and nature loss, at the same time as sustainibly producing food
    • 98% want farming to do more to address climate change and biodiversity losses
    • 88% of farmers think the sector needs to be better encouraged to enter environmental schemes

    It further revealed that 86% of people want to support farmers who are creating wildlife habitats and restoring soil health. 61% want to support carbon storage, 64% want to support improved water quality and 66% would support high-welfare farming. Nearly all (96%) want to see public money used to support farmers who are implementing restorative measures covering soil health, biodiversity, carbon-storing and water quality, while 96% also said they want environmental standards that mitigate climate change and restore nature to be enshrined in law.

    • Slade Farm flour
    • Slade Farm Veg
    The report shows wide public support for sustainably grown, domestic produce

    The report calls for mandatory labelling for both domestic and imported food, with a robust and transparent labelling regime to promote traceability and to encourage the adoption of climate-friendly farming through consumer-led incentives.

    Other recommendations include preventing the import of commodities linked to deforestation or conversion of carbon-rich ecosystems and a review of existing policies with a focus on developing sustainable food systems and shortening supply chains.

    The report is endorsed by leading environmental organisations including the Soil Association, Plantlife, Woodland Trust, RSPB, Butterfly Conservation, Woodland Trust and more. Sustain, Farm Wildlife and the James Hutton Institute have also contributed to the report with supporting statements.

    Tweet
    Share
    Share
    Pin
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Previous ArticleGlobal Trends – BKT Network renews for its third edition
    Next Article Basic Payment Scheme 2021 entitlement rates revealed
    Matthew Tilt
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

    Machinery editor for Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer. Matt has worked as an agricultural machinery journalist for five years, following time spent in his family’s Worcestershire contracting business. When he’s not driving or writing about the latest farm equipment, he can be found in his local cinema, or with his headphones in, reading a good book.

    Read Similar Stories

    Applications open for RPA farm payments

    March 15, 2023

    New UK company to help farmers thrive despite climate change concerns

    March 10, 2023

    Don’t pay twice for SFI

    February 23, 2023
    Most Read Stories

    Case IH to sponsor Aprilia at 2023 MotoGP World Championship

    March 21, 2023

    Cordless backpack blower launched by Stihl

    March 21, 2023

    Results of on-farm wheat trials released by Bofin

    March 21, 2023
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer

    The UK's leading agricultural machinery journal

    Twitter LinkedIn
    © 2023 Lewis Business Media. All Rights Reserved.
    Lewis Business Media, Suite A, Arun House, Office Village, River Way, Uckfield, TN22 1SL

    Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions

    • AA Farmer
    • Poultry News
    • Pig World
    • OvertheCounter

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “ACCEPT ALL”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
    Cookie SettingsREJECT ALLAccept All
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-advertisement1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Advertisement" category .
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Analytics" category .
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional1 yearThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to record the user consent for the cookies in the "Necessary" category .
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to store the user consent for cookies in the category "Others".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance1 yearSet by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin, this cookie is used to store the user consent for cookies in the category "Performance".
    PHPSESSIDsessionThis cookie is native to PHP applications. The cookie is used to store and identify a users' unique session ID for the purpose of managing user session on the website. The cookie is a session cookies and is deleted when all the browser windows are closed.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    CookieDurationDescription
    _ga2 yearsThe _ga cookie, installed by Google Analytics, calculates visitor, session and campaign data and also keeps track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookie stores information anonymously and assigns a randomly generated number to recognize unique visitors.
    _gat_gtag_UA_31822138_191 minuteSet by Google to distinguish users.
    _gid1 dayInstalled by Google Analytics, _gid cookie stores information on how visitors use a website, while also creating an analytics report of the website's performance. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    CookieDurationDescription
    OAID1 yearThis cookie is set when an AdsWizz website visitor have opted out the collection of information by AdsWizz service or opted to disable the targeted ads by AdsWizz.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    Powered by CookieYes Logo