English Landworkers’ Alliance have launched a petition to call on the UK Government to double it’s current agriculture budget to support a just transition to sustainable farming.
Food is a basic human right, and fundamental to life. But did you know that despite this, the UK Government only spends 0.4% of public spending on supporting farming?
“There will be no food if we don’t sort out the ecological crisis, and there will be no food if farmers can’t earn a living growing food and restoring the land. We need a green transition, so farmers can work with dignity as they change the way they farm. So many farmers are already pioneering nature-friendly farming methods but they too are being left behind.”
It’s time for the UK government to take food and farming seriously and double the agriculture budget to support a green transition in farming that doesn’t leave farmers behind.”
Jyoti Fernandes, smallholder farmer from Dorset and Campaigns Coordinator at the Landworkers’ Alliance
“A just transition in farming, with the right level of public support, is vital so all farmers and workers can make a good living using nature friendly farming methods, restoring wildlife and creating the climate resilient and health focussed food system we need.
“The budget is currently too small to deliver this, and farmers are not confident in the schemes in the long term. Ensuring we can produce more of the food we need especially diverse, agroecologically produced fruit, vegetables and fibres, without harming critical nature habitats like peatland soils, must be a government goal.”
Vicki Hird, Strategic Lead for Agriculture at The Wildlife Trusts
“If we as a country are serious about nature restoration, climate change, food security and having thriving rural communities, then we need much greater government investment in our food and farming system.
“It is within our grasp to make rural Britain all we need it to be. The financial cost is embarrassingly small – we just need the political will to make it happen. Whatever your politics, a bigger budget and more support for farmers makes perfect sense – it is investing in our own landscapes and food systems for the sake of all of us.”
James Rebanks, cattle farmer from Cumbria and bestselling author of ‘The Shepherds Life’ and ‘English Pastoral’
