English Be a voice for agroecology and food sovereignty – join the Landworkers Who Lobby!
Our food, farming and land-use systems are facing multiple and intersecting challenges here in the UK. We know that agroecology, food sovereignty and sustainable forestry hold so many solutions to challenges like global warming, household food insecurity and biodiversity loss, and it’s time for our governments to take these approaches seriously. Small-scale and agroecological producers and landworkers offer so much in terms of building food system resilience, restoring local ecosystems and supporting their local communities, yet they are not getting the recognition or support they deserve.
The 2024 General Election has given us a fresh opportunity to advocate for real change in our food and land-use systems, especially in England (please see below for a note on food, farming and devolution).
As landworkers who are already leading the way with agroecology and sustainable land-use, our voices matter. We need to engage with our local MPs and help them to understand the benefits of our work, the challenges we face, and the societal benefits that would be seen if our movement were to receive more government recognition and support.
Reach out to your MP/MS/MSP/MLA
Arranging an in-person meeting is a great way to introduce yourself to your local MP/MS/MSP/MLA.
You should try and keep it personal where possible, and highlight some of the key issues that are relevant or important to you as an individual, group or community. But it’s also important to make sure that your local representative understands the issues facing the wider food, farming and land-use system on a national scale too. Some MPs/MSs/MPs/MLAs may already be familiar with agroecology and issues relating to food and land justice, but others may be novices! For a full set of policy recommendations you can send them a copy of our Manifesto for Food, Farming and Forestry.
Please see our guide ‘How to arrange an in-person meeting with your local MP, MS, MSP or MLA’ for more information.
Host an MP/MS/MSP/MLA on your farm or market garden
Seeing is believing! Hosting your local parliamentary representative on your farm or market garden is a great way to showcase the great work that agroecological landworkers are doing, as well as highlighting some of the challenges you may be facing with your farm or business.
Please see our guide ‘How to host a farm visit on your Market Garden’ for more information.
A note on food, farming and devolution
The 2024 UK General Election elected 650 Members of Parliament into Westminster. These MPs are responsible for legislating and shaping policy on a UK level, but because food, farming and the environment are devolved issues, these MPs will only be able to influence policy on these issues in England. However, Westminster MPs elected in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be able to influence UK-wide law and policy on issues like trade, welfare and tax.
The next Northern Ireland parliamentary election is due to take place in January 2025, and Scotland and Wales are expected to have their parliamentary elections in May 2026. LWA will be mobilising around these elections nearer the time, however we encourage you to reach out to you current MSPs, MS or MLA in the meantime to build bridges between our grassroots movement and the devolved administrations. Please click on the following links to find out more about the work we’re doing in: Wales (LWA Cymru) a Scotland.
Resources
Check our Campaign Toolkit for more ways you can help to advocate for agroecology and food sovereignty in your nation.
Click ‘See board’ to access.
