AI-Summary – News For Tomorrow
Defra’s Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) has raised concerns from the NFU regarding the balance between environmental goals and food production. While the NFU supports the EIP’s environmental ambitions, they emphasize the need for equal prioritization of domestic food production. They call for a policy framework, including certainty around the Sustainable Farming Incentive and a multifunctional Land Use Framework, to support a sustainable and secure food supply. Clear targets for British food production are crucial to providing farmers with the necessary clarity and confidence, ensuring the public’s desire for domestically sourced food is met.
News summary provided by Gemini AI.
Defra’s new Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) sets clear goals for nature, but the NFU warns it leaves unanswered questions about how these ambitions align with food production. The NFU is calling for food production to be given the same prioritisation to ensure the EIP goes hand in hand with a sustainable, secure supply of food.
Responding to the launch of the EIP, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The clear direction from Defra is that they need farmers to deliver for the environment and farmers stand ready to do just that. What farmers need from Defra in return is similar clarity on the importance of domestic food production and a policy framework that supports that.
“That’s why we’re calling for certainty over the Sustainable Farming Incentive, alongside delivery of the EIP, and, as clearly set out in the NFU Blueprints, a multifunctional Land Use Framework that gives food production equal priority to environmental delivery.
“We also need clear targets for British food production, because a resilient food system is not just an ambition, it’s a necessity. This will go a long way in giving farmers the clarity that they need from Defra and confidence to the public who tell us time and time again that they want to buy British.”
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