To the next Prime Minister

British farming needs a similar emphasis to the energy efficient homes drive that has been debated. A plan is needed to support farmers to transition away from a heavy reliance on very costly synthetic fertiliser, pesticides, and animal feeds inputs, which also have a big environmental footprint.

The UK Government’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) programme is a key tool in supporting a shift towards Net Zero, nature recovery and food security. The journey to implement it over the next two years, as set out in the Agricultural Transition Plan, must be a core policy of yours.

The Sustain alliance of more than 110 farming, conservation, health and welfare organisations, ask you to commit to the full development and implementation of ELM, with the hope that Defra will ratchet up ambition as it progresses over the coming years. Diverting away from the ‘public money for public goods’ approach would present a hugely backwards step. 

Our members and a groundswell of British farmers want to see support, action and leadership on these issues from the Government.

The Sustain Alliance for better food and farming.